SumrncYYL
*&
ADVISORY BOARD ON WATER POLLUTION,
RAINY RIVER AND LAKE OF THE WOODS
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
UNITED STATES AND CANADA
on&?
POLLUTION OF
INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY WATERS
-.. ,. $5
.C
1960-1962 INVESTIGATIONS
RAINY RIVER AND LAKE OF THE WOODS
MINNESOTA AND ONTARIO
Prlnted In the Un~tedStates for Publlc Health Serv~ceby General Servlces Admlntstratlon
ADVISORY BOARD ON WATER POLLUTION,
RAINY RIVER AND LAKE OF THE WOODS
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
UNITED STATES AND CANADA
POLLUTION OF
INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY WATERS
*
8 41
1960,-1962 INVESTIGATIONS
RAINY RIVER AND LAKE OF THE WOODS
MINNESOTA AND ONTARIO
APRIL 1963
Printed in the United States for Public Health Service by General Services Administration.
-
CONTENTS
Page
Acknowledgments
-----------c----------w-----~--~-o-w
Advisory Board on Water Pollution,
Rainy River and Lake of the Woods,
International Joint Commission,
Membership
---------..----------------------------Findings and Recommendations .......................
Initiation of the Investigation ....................
General Description
................................
.............................
Sources and Character of Pollution ----------------~ollutionEffects on Boundary Water Quality -------Transboundary Movement of Pollution ---------------Discussion of Findings and Remedial Measures ------Uses of Boundary Waters
Appendices
1. Glossary
2. References
3. Bibliography
4. Pulp and Paper Mill Flow Diagrams
FOREWORD
This summary report is prepared for general public purposes.
Detailed information and technical data on studies and investigations
made are contained in the "Report of the Advisory Board on Water
Pollution, Rainy River and Lake of the Woods to the International
Joint Comission, United States and Canada, on the Pollution of
International Boundary Waters, 1960-1962 Investigations, Rainy
River and Lake of the Woods, Minnesota and Ontario, April 1963."
The latter report is available through the offices of the
International Joint Commission'in Ottawa, Canada and Washington, D. C.
in the United States.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
(Rainy River and Lake of the Woods Section)
To:
International Joint Conrmission,
United States and Canada
The Advisory Board submits herewith a summarized version of
its report on pollution of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods
Section of the International Boundary Waters covered by reference
to the Commission dated May 30, 1959.
Pursuant to the appointment of the Advisory Board on October 8,
1959, technical investigations and studies over a three-year period
have covered those aspects of pollution deemed necessary for the
Commission to answer the questions contained in the reference
referred to them from the Governments of Canada and the United States.
In this report, the Advisory Board has endeavored ,to present,
for general public purposes, certain factual information, its
findings and recomnendations and technical data by means of tables,
charts and illustrations.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY BOARD ON POLLUTION OF
RAINY RIVER
BOUNDARY WATERS
AND LAKE OF THE WOODS
-
united States
- L.
F. Warrick
Chairman
Canada
- W.
R. Edmonds
Chairman
Canada
United States
L. F. WARRICK, Chairman
H. C, CLARE
-
J. R. UENZIES, Chairman
(1959 December 9, 1961)
W. R.. EDMONDS, Chairman
S. A. FRELLSEN
R. E. W I T
H. G. ROGERS
(1959
- March 9, 1962)
L. H. SMITH
May 8, 1963
A. E. BERRY
F. A. VOEGE
Valuable assistance has been rendered during this investigation,
by the various municipalities and industries as well as several State,
Provincial, and Federal agencies on both sides of the boundary.
Special acknowledgment is made to the following:
On the United States side to:
Minnesota ~ e ~ a r t m e nof
t Health
Division of Environmental Sanitation
Section of Water Pollution Control
Section of Engineering LaboratoriesMinnesota Department of Conservation
Division of Waters and
Division of Game and Fish
Section of Research and Planning
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
City of International Falls, Minnesota
Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company
International Falls, Minnesota
Otto W. Kuehne; Chief operator,
Waste Treatment Plant
International Falls, Minnesota
Owen Charlton, Operator,
Waste Treatment Plant
Williams, Minnesota
and on the Canadian side to:
Laboratory of Hygiene
Department of National Health 6 Welfare
Ottawa, Canada
Water Resources Branch
Department of Northern Af fairs & National ~esources
Ottawa, Canada
Town of Fort Frances
Ontario Department of Agriculture
Ontario Department of Health
Ontario Department of Lands and Forests
iii
For Canada
William R. Edmonds (Chairman), Department of National Health
and Welfare, Ottawa
Robert E. Tait, Department of National Health and Welfare,
Ottawa
For the United States
-Louis F. Warrick (Chairman), U. S. Public Health Service,
Washington, D. C.
Herbert C. Clare, U. S. Public Health Service Regional Office,
Kansas City, Missouri
For Ontario
Albert E. Berry, Ontario Water Resources Commission,
Toron to
Fred A. Voege, Ontario Water Resources Commission,
Toronto
For Minnesota
Lyle H. Smith, Water Pollution Control Commission,
Minneapolis
Sidney A. Frellsen, Minnesota Department of Conservation,
Division of Waters, St. Paul
FINDINGS AM) RECOMMENDATIONS
The.investigation of pollution of the boundary waters of Rainy
River and Lake of the Woods extended over the period from June 1960
to September 1962.- In that time a c.omprehensive examination was made
of many phases of pollution, and relevant information was obtained
from many sources. These data were studied and conclusions reached
on the questions contained in the terms of.reference to the International
Joint Comnission by the Governments of Canada and the United States.
This study involved unique and complex problems. A previous
investigation in 1913 was a pioneering effort in the evaluation of
bacteriological pollution. In the intervening years these waters
assumed an important role in serving numerous uses on a boundary
between two countries where healthful living, commerce, and recreation
have attained a high level of development. These activities focused
attention on two necessities: first, the recognized need for clean
waters, and secondly, the serious problem of attaining this objective.
The steady increase in urban population, the marked increase in
production of paper products, and the prospects for future industrial
and recreational development gave rise to involved and complicated
requirements both for the investigation and solution of this situation.
The cost is high for correction, but it is higher for continuance
of the defilement of these waters.
The investigation enabled the Advisory Board on Water Pollution,
Rainy River and Lake of the Woods, to reach certain conclusions on
the,findings and to offer reconanendations to the Commission for remedial
measures. The findings of the Board are summarized herewith.
Findings
1.
These waters are seriously polluted in many places on both sides
of the boundary. Serious pollution exists in the entire river
downstream'from Fort Frances and International Falls.
2.
There is a transfer of pollution from each side of the boundary
to the other. This has been demonstrated by float studies and
by analytical results.
3.
Conditions conducive to injury to health and property exist on
both sides of the boundary. This has been manifested in the
f01 lowing ways:
a.
-
Health A potential menace is present where waters polluted
to the extent of these are used for domestic purposes. The
extent of pollution of these waters is such that they cannot
be safely used as a potable water supply without complete
and continuously effective treatment.
Furthermore, they are so polluted in most areas so as
to render them unsafe for recreational bathing purposes.
The pollutants present in these boundary waters must be
considered an actual and potential health hazard, whether they
be transmitted through public water supplies, bathing beaches,
or by other means. If the 1913 to 1962 trend in bacterial
pollution is permitted to continue, the time will came when
conditions will reach a point where it will be impossible
to use these waters safely for domestic purposes.
-
b.
Injury to property has been illustrated in an
Property
increase'in the cost of water supply for municipalities
and in lessened attractiveness of bathing beaches which may
result in lower valuation of vater-front and resort properties.
c.
Industry
There is evidence that these waters are polluted
to such a degree that their use in certain industries may be
affected. An economic loss to the coramunity, and to industry
as well will occur when a plant is unable to locate in an
area because of inability to secure a satisfactory water
supply
d.
Recreation
These waters are polluted to such a degree that
they are unsafe for bathing, unsuitable for fishing, detrimental
to fish propagation, unsatisfactory for general recreational
purposes and are aesthetically offensive.
-
Biological characteristics of the river have been altered
by waste discharges. Changes in plankton, benthos, fishes
and slime growths are related to specific waste effects and
river discharge patterns.
Wood sugars discharged in the pulping process are a
major source of nutrients for slime growths. Fiber, bark,
and chips released from the pulp and paper mills create
bottom deposits which rise and cause malodorous conditions
along the major portion of the river, and impairment of fish
propagation.
4.
Some progress has been made in control or elimination of pollution
during the period of this investigation. Municipal progress has
been confined to the planning stages, with the exception of
sewerage facilities and sewage stabilization ponds recently
completed at South International Falls. Industrial progress has
been confined manly to in-plant controls and partial segregation
of domestic sewage frarn industrial wastes.
5.
Conferences by the Conmission and the Advisory Board show a
reasonable appreciation by village officials and industrial
management of the need for correction of existing conditions.
Financing of the necessary remedial work was indicated to be
the principal hindrance to correction.
i
6.
The condition of these waters requires that remedial measures
be undertaken as early as possible,
Recommendations
The Advisory Board respectfully offers the following recommendations
to the Commission:
1.
Remedial measures for the abatement and control of pollution in
the Rainy River section of the boundary waters should be undertaken at the earliest possible date. These measures should be
sufficient to restore and protect the uses of these waters to
which the poeple of both countries are rightfully entitled,
Major consideration should be given to uses of water for domestic
and industrial supplies, recreation, fish and wildlife, sanitary
purposes, and navigation.
2.
The "Objectives for Boundary Water Quality Control", currently
applying to boundary waters under Reference, as suitably
modified to meet water quality needs in the Rainy River.- Lake
of the Woods public water areas should be recognized in the
development of remedial and pollution preventive measures by
municipalities and industries. These objectives should apply
to both existing and new sources of wastes.
I
-
3.
Treatment of municipal wastes by sedimentation and disinfection
of the effluent should be undertaken by all communities as the
initial step; and a program of more efficient or secondary
treatment should be inaugurated at as early a date as possible.
Need for more efficient or secondary treatment will be most
urgent near large centers of population or where much industrial
waste is involved. It is recognized that local conditions on
either side of the boundary m y give additional emphasis to the
need for this higher degree of treatment, The estimated cost
for installation of intercepting sewers and primary treatment
works for municipalities in this section is $2,384,500 of which
none is for United States communities. For the 'additional
cost of secondary treatment of municipal wastes the estimate is
$708,000 of which $200,000 is on the United States side and
$508,000 on the Canadian side. These works must be financed
through public funds.
4. Industrial wastes should be utilized, controlled, or treated
to comply, as soon as possible, with the "Objectives for
Boundary Waters Quality Control" interpreted as recommended by
this Board. The cost estimated by the industries involved
for industrial waste treatment works exceeds $11,000,000.
5.
Appropriate action should be taken to accomplish reduction of
slime growths such as by reduced discharge of nutrients.
6. It is recomnended that the Comnission review its order of June 8,
1949, as amended by its order of October 1, 1957, governing the
regulation of the levels of Rainy Lake and other boundary waters
in the Rainy Lake watershed with the view of eliminating the
extremely low flows in the Rainy River now prevalent on weekends below the outlet of Rainy Lake.
7.
Boats should be equipped with effective devices for treatment
of sewage and pollutional matter. No refuse or other waste
should be discharged overboard in boundary waters.
8. Definite plans for financing and constructing municipal works
needed to remedy pollution should be formulated.
9. Definite time schedules for abatement of industrial waste
pollution should be established and followed.
10.
Continuing surveillance over pollution control progress should
be maintained through a technical conanittee or board, with
representation from both countries including Federal, state,
and provincial governments.
11.
The Commission should take such measures as may be legally
available to it to have the pollution abatement and prevention
program herein outlined initiated, promoted and effectively
prosecuted.
-
.
. .
.The ~ollutidnProblem
The waters between the United States and Canada are vitally
important to health, recreation, and the national economy of
both countries, In the Rainy Lake, Rainy River, and Lake of the
Woods section of the boundary the pulp and paper industry,
recreation, and agriculture have developed to a considerable degree.
The success of these developments, and indirectly the welfare of
larger areas of both countries, is influenced in no small measure
by maintenance of these waters free from objectionable pollution,
Pollution control is an ever changing problem. At one time
the major source of contamination was human sewage, and the degree
of bacterial pollution was the primary concern, This continues to
be an important health problem, but industrial developments in both
countries have added new factors. Their wastes produce effects
additional to and different from those created by the concentration
of sewage bacteria. These industrial wastes may have a deleterious
effect on the aesthetic qualities of the water as well as on its
physical and chemical properties, Their health significance is
secondary to sewage, but they may seriously impair the use of water
for domestic, recreational, industrial, and other purposes. The
development of new products, the expansion of industrial activity,
and modification of industrial processes all cause variations in
wastes which intensify the problems of water pollution control. These
problems are further aggravated in this area by the demand of large
sections of population of both countries for the preservation of these
extensive recreational resources.
The Previous
-
Investigation
f
The pollution of boundary waters between Canada and the United
States has been of concern to both countries for more than half a
century, Interest has been manifest in the extent, nature, and
dispersion of pollution from each side of the boundary to the other.
An answer to this question was first sought when the initial survey
of these waters was undertaken in 1913 by the International Joint
Commission. The "Progress Report of the International Joint Commission" (1)
in 1914, emphasized the extent of bacterial contamination at that time.
'
In the interval between 1913 and 1962 the population, the use of
the area for recreation, and the volume of industrial wastes have
increased greatly, Some waste treatment facilities have been built,
but continuing efforts will be required to insure that these waters
will be maintained in a satisfactory state for the use of the people
of both nations.
Authorization
of Survey
"The Governments of the United States and Canada have been informed
that the waters of the Rainy River and the Lake of the Woods are being
polluted by sewage and industrial wastes. emptied into these waters.
Having in mind the provisions of Article IV of the Boundary Waters
Treaty signed January 11, 1909, that boundary waters and waters
flowing across the boundary shall not be polluted on either side
to the injury of health or property on the other side, the two
Governments have agreed upon a joint ~eference(*) of the matter to
the International Joint Commission, pursuant to the provisions of
Article I X of said Treaty, The Canrmisaion is requested to inquire
into and to report to the two Governments upon the following questions:
"(1) Are the waters referred to in the preceding paragraph,
or any of them, actually being polluted on either side of the boundary
to the injury of health or property on the other side of the boundary?
If the foregoing question is answered in the affirmative,
"(2)
to what extent, by what causes, and in what localities is such pollution
taking place?
"(3) If the Cotmission should find that pollution of the
character just referred to is taking place, what measures for remedying
the situation would, in its judgment, be most practicable from the
economic, sanitary and other points of view?
"(4) If the Camnission should find that the construction or
maintenance of remedial or preventive works is necessary to render
the waters sanitary and suitable for domestic and other uses, it
should indicate the nature, location, and extent of such works, and
the probable cost thereof, and by whom and in what proportions such
cost should be borne.
"For the purpose of assisting the Commission in making the
investigation and recommendations provided for in this Reference, the
two Governments will, upon request, make available to the Cownission
the services of engineers and other specially qualified personnel of
their governmental agencies, and such information and technical data
as may have been acquired by such agencies or as may be acquired by
them during the course of the investigation.
"The Commission should submit its report and recommendations to
the'two Governments as soon as practicable."
Advisory Board on Water Pollution
Pursuant to the reference of the two Governments the International
Joint Conrmission appointed an Advisory Board on Water Pollution for
(*) May 30, 1959
Rainy River and Lake of ehe Woods and issued a directive dated
December 15, 1959, as follows:
"1.
The Advisory Board on Water Pollution=+-RainyRivet
and Lake of the Woods was established by the
International Joint Commission on 8 October 1959,
and the following were appointed to serve on the
Board:
United States Section:
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
L.
H.
S.
H.
F. Warrick (Chairman)
C. Clare
A. Frellsen
G. Rogers*
Canadian Section:
Mr.
Dr.
Mr.
Mr.
J. R. Menzies (Chairman)**
A. E. Berry
R. E. Tait
F. A. Voege
The Board will carry out the technical investigations
and studies necessary to enable the Conmission to prepare
and submit its report and recommendations to the
Governments of the United States and Canada, as requested
by the two Governments in a Reference to the Ccnmnission
dated 30 May 1959. A copy of the said Reference is
attached hereto.
Field investigations should be directed initially to
pollution of the waters of Rainy River, of tributaries
of Rainy River insofar as the quality of the tributary
waters affects the quality of the waters of Rainy River
and of Lake of the Woods insofar as the quality of its
waters are affected by the quality of waters discharged
to it from Rainy River. The Board will advise the
Commission if it appears that more extensive investigation
of pollution of the waters of Lake of the Woods would be
desirable.
"4. The Board will furnish a preliminary report to the Comnission
on or before 31 March 1960 containing a general outline of
the existing situation as regards pollution in the area
under reference, and of the procedure proposed for
carrying out the investigation.
*The late Harvey G. Rogers retired from the Board March 9, 1962, and
on that date was succeeded by Ma. Lyle H. Smith.
*rrlrFollowing the death of Mr. J. Ross Menzies on December 9, 1961, Mr.
William R. Edmonds was appointed on Harch 8, 1962, to the Board as
Chairrnan of the Canadian Section.
"5.
The Board is authorized to establish such comnittees
and working groups as may be required to effectively
discharge its responsibilities, to enlist the
cooperation of technical officers of other Federal,
Provincial or State Departments or agencies in the
United States and Canada and to make such expenditures
for travel as may be found necessary.
"6. The Board is requested to carry out its investigation
as expeditiously as possible and to keep the Commission
currently informed of developments and progress. To
this end, the Board will prepare and submit semi-annual
progress reports to the Conmission on or about 31 March
and 30 September of each year and such other reports
from time to time as the Commission may direct or as the
Board may consider desirable."
Organization of the Survey
Field work on the survey of these boundary waters was initiated
in June, 1960. The personnel was supplied by the United States Public
Health Service, the Canadian Department of National Health and Welfare,
the Ontario Water Resources Commission, and the Minnesota Department
of Health. Work in the field and laboratory was carried out on a
joint cooperative basis under the general direction of Dr. Gerald W.
Lawton, Special Consultant, U. S. Public Health Service. During the
summer of 1961, Mr. Orlando Ruschmeyer took over the direction of the
field and laboratory work due to the unavailability of Dr. Lawton
during the early part of the summer. Dr. Alan D. Tennant, Bacteriologist,
Canadian Laboratory of Hygiene organized the program of bacteriological
studies. Dr. Joe K. Neel, Biologist of the U. S. Public Health Service,
and John Neil, Biologist of the Ontario Water Resources Conrmission
organized the biological studies program, Dr. Theodore A. Olson and
Dr. Lloyd L. Smith, Jr., served as special consultants on the biological
program.
Field work was carried out from June through September, 1960. In
1961 field work was carried out from mid-June to mid-September. In
addition a winter survey of two weeks was conducted in January, 1962,
by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Canadian Department of
National Health and Welfare. Special field studies, mainly biological,
were made during the summer of 1962, including fishery studies conducted
by the Minnesota Department of Conservation, under contract with the
U. S. Public Health Service, and the Ontario Department of Lands and
Forests.
A research project under a grant by the U. S. Public Health Service,
directed by Dr. Lloyd L. Smith, Jr. (*), of the University of Minnesota,
Smith, Lloyd L. Jr., and Kraner, Robert H., "Survival of Walleye Eggs
in relation to Wood Fibers and Sphaerotilus natans in the Rainy River,
Minnesota", Transcriptions American Fisheries Society Vol. 9 2 ~ 3 . (in press)
-
Winter sampling through the ice during
Rainy River
Lake of the Woods boundary
water survey, January, 1962.
studied the effect of wood fibers on the various stages of fish
development. This project consisted of laboratory studies at the
University of Minnesota and field studies at a temporary camp on
Rainy River near the mouth of the Big Fork River. These wood-fiber
studies continued .from
.
early 1961 through 1962.
1-2
I
General Procedure
The Advisory Board was responsible for the general organization
of the field work and made arrangements for the use of necessary
laboratory and field equipment. Laboratory headquarters was
established at the International Falls municipal waste treatment
plant. Facilities included a complete mobile bacteriological
laboratory supplied by the Canadian Department of National Health
and Welfare, a trailer laboratory supplied by the U. S. Public Health
Service, and the main chemical laboratory located in the treatment
plant. Field studies included sampling and analyses of the boundary
waters and tributaries, float tests for determining the direction of
currents, visual and microscopic examination of the water and
benthological samples, and investigation of industries and other
sources of waste.
Selection and Designation of Sampling Points
The sampling points selected corresponded approximately with
those previously used jointly by the Departments of Health of the
State of Minnesota and the Province of Ontario, The selection of
these points was influenced by the location of known sources of waste,
characteristics of stream flows, locations of tributaries, accessibility,
and location of sampling points used during the 1913 International
Joint Commission survey. The known waste sources included municipal
and industrial sewer outlets along the shores of Rainy River and its
tributaries. Stream flow characteristics were considered significant
in relation to dispersion of wastes throughout these boundary waters.
The diluting effect of the tributaries influences the pollution
pattern in the stream. To facilitate comparison of results with
those of the 1913 survey, many of the same sampling points were used
in the 1960-62 investigation.
/
To identify the location of sampling ranges, sewer outlets, and
other important points on the river, a mileage index system was used.
Each sampling range on Rainy River was identified by reference to one
or two international boundary markers (IBC).
The zero mileage point
is located at the mouth of Rainy River as indicated by a line through
boundary marker number 51 and turning point number 38. All ranges
were identified by numbers which represent the distances in river
miles above the zero point at the Lake of the Woods. One sampling
point was located on each tributary and indicated by a mileage
number only.
Table 1.
Boundary
Marker umbers
U, S.
Canada
Ranges and S t a t i o n s of the Rainy River Survey 1960-62
Station ~umbers'
Location
Railroad Bridge
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Bridge
J u s t below m i l l
One mile below dam
Near golf course
Above L i t t l e Fork River
L i t t l e Fork River Bridge
La Vallee River Bridge
Above Big Fork River
Big Fork River Bridge
Above Black River
Black River Bridge
Above Emo
Sims Creek
Sturgeon River
Below Rapids
Above Pinewood River
Pinewood River
Above Rapid River
Rapid River
S i l v e r Creek
Above Rainy River
Baude t t e River
R. R. Bridge Baudette
Below Baudette
Above Winter Rd. River
Winter Road River
Wheeler's Point
Each range on Rainy River consisted of four to eight sampling
points designated as stations. Each station was defined by distance
in hundreds of feet from the U, S. shore. Table 1 gives the ranges,.,
stations, and general locations.
The river mileage system was not adaptable for Lake of the Woods
or Rainy Lake. Sampling points on Lake of the Woods are shown an
Figure 11.
Laboratory Determinations
Routine determinations on water samples included caliform
organisms, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen
demand, turbidity, total solids including volatile, suspended solids
including volatile, color, and lignin. In addition, chemical oxygen
demand, phenol, calcium, alkalinity, conductivity, and hardness
determinations were made on certain samples. Bottom samples were
taken at all ranges where obtainable and examined for bark, chips,
fibers, and types of soil. In general, the analytica1,procedures
conformed to those given in the current edition of "Standard
Methods". (2)
I
I
Samples for biological examination were taken separately at
several times during the course of the survey. These samples were
examined for bark chips, fiber, and numbers and types of organisms.
A close approximation of the number of samples collected and
analyses made during the course of the survey is presented in Table 2.
!
Table 2.
Samples Collected and Analyses Made
Source
Rainy Lake
Rainy River
Rainy River Tributaries
Lake of the Woods
Pulp and paper mills
Totals
Bacterial
Examinations
Chemical
Samples
Examinations
Determinations
48
2,978
139
65
84
-
26
2,407
107
65
304
-
276
20,791
963
705
3,468
3,314
2,909
26,203
During 1961, some samples were specially preserved and sent to
the Minnesota Department of Health laboratories for phenol determinations. The winter survey of January, 1962, also made use of the
laboratories of the Departments of Health of Ontario, Minnesota, and
Manitoba for determinations other than those made at the point of sampling.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The 1931 Report of the International Boundary ~ammission(a) sta tee
that "From the northwesternmost point of Lake of the Woods to Lake
Superior the boundary follows an almost continuous system of
waterways broken only at three places by short portages whose
combined length is less than one mile, The line follows the old
canoe route of the early fur traders which traversed a region of
irregularly shaped lakes joined by streams comprising, as a rule, a
series of ponds or pools connected by rapids or falls,"
The Ontario-Minnesota Rainy River Pollution Survey gf 1937(4)
states that "The Rainy River comprises a part of one of the most
imposing water systems of the North American continent, It flows
out of Rainy Lake whose watershed is a vast forested lake country
beginning at North Lake about 40 miles west of Lake Superior and
extending westward approximately 200 miles to Rainy Lake itself.
The watershed drains areas from both sides of the International
Boundary. The water collected in Rainy Lake flows down the Rainy
River, through Lake of the Woods, the Winnipeg River and Winnipeg
Lake, finally reaching Hudson Bay via the Nelson River",
Headwaters
More than two-thirds of the Rainy River watershed lies above
Rainy Lake. What is considered to be the main stem rises in North
Lake on the International Boundary and consists mainly of a series
of lakes connected by short streams, Available maps indicate that
the main stem leaves the boundary and courses into Ontario at two
points, one between Saganaga Lake and Lac La Croix where it enters
as the Maligne River, and the other as the Namakan River between
Lac La Croix and Namakan Lake.
In Minnesota the Rainy River headwaters watershed area comprises
4,489 square miles and includes parts of Koochiching, St, Louis, Lake,
and Cook Counties. The area of that part of the watershed in Ontario
is about 10,000 square miles, and includes parts of Rainy River,
Kenora, and Thunder Bay Districts.
Rainy River and Tributaries
The watershed boundaries are shown in Figure 1. Rainy River
above its mouth in the Lake of the Woods drains an area of 20,850
square miles, 10,850 square miles in the Province of Ontario, and
10,000 square miles in the State of Minnesota. The stream is about
86 river miles in length, flowing from east to west along a fairly
direct course. There are several bends in the stream but the
channel is far from being torturous, The stream is wide at
practically all points, and the depth seldom exceeds 20 feet. The
stream is further characterized by several wooded islands which
divide the water into definite channels.
The c u r r e n t i s normally s t r o n g e x c e p t i n t h e lower p o r t i o n of
t h e stream. However, c o n t r o l l e d o u t f l o w 'flow i n accordance w i t h
t h e r e g u l a t i o n s e s t a b l i s h e d by t h e I.J.C.
f r e q u e n t l y produces
v e r y 1ow.flow on week-ends.
F r e q u e n t l y on Sunday and e a r l y
Monday t h e e f f e c t s of t h e c o n t r o l l e d flow a r e e v i d e n t i n t h e a r e a
from I n t e r n a t i o n a l F a l l s t o Manitou Rapids, and a t many l o c a t i o n s
l a r g e p o r t i o n s of t h e u s u a l r i v e r bottom a r e exposed t o view,
From t h e Baudette-Rainy River a r e a t o Lake of t h e Woods, t h e c u r r e n t
i s slow. I n t h i s r e a c h of t h e r i v e r t h e e f f e c t of t h e week-end
r e d u c t i o n i n flow a t I n t e r n a t i o n a l F a l l s i s n o t a p p a r e n t .
T r i b u t a r i e s t o t h e Rainy River p r o p e r e n t e r from b o t h s i d e s
of t h e stream. The d r a i n a g e a r e a on t h e Canadian s i d e approximates
600 s q u a r e m i l e s and on t h e United S t a t e s s i d e a b o u t 5 , 7 0 0 s q u a r e
m i l e s . The p r i n c i p a l s t r e a m s on t h e Canadian s i d e a r e t h e
La V a l l e e , S t u r g e o n , and P i n e R i v e r s . On t h e Minnesota S i d e t h e
L i t t l e Fork, Big Fork, Black, Rapid, B a u d e t t e , and Winter aoad R i v e r s
a r e worthy of n o t e . The L i t t l e Fork and Big Fork R i v e r s d r a i n t h e .
g r e a t e r p a r t of t h e a r e a w i t h 1,849 and 2,063 s q u a r e m i l e s i n t h e i r
r e s p e c t i v e watersheds. The mean flows i n t h e s e two r i v e r s a r e 972
and 653 c u b i c f e e t p e r second ( c f s ) , r e s p e c t i v e l y .
Lake of t h e
----
Woods
Lake of t h e Woods, i n c l u d i n g Shoal Lake, i s an i r r e g u l a r l a k e
w i t h an a r e a of 1,485 s q u a r e m i l e s of which 470 s q u a r e m i l e s a r e
w i t h i n Minnesota. The l a k e i s r e l a t i v e l y s h a l l o w , w i t h a major
p o r t i o n r a n g i n g from 25 t o 35 f e e t i n depth. I n Canada t h e g r e a t e r
p o r t i o n l i e s i n w e s t e r n O n t a r i o ; w i t h o n l y a few s m a l l a r e a s
e x t e n d i n g i n t o Yanitoba. The t o t a l watershed of t h e l a k e c.overs
11,235 s q u a r e m i l e s i n Minnesota and 15,515 s q u a r e m i l e s i n Canada.
Of t h e s e a r e a s 5,900 s q u a r e m i l e s d r a i n s d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e Lake of
t h e Woods. I n t h e s o u t h e r n and w e s t e r n p a r t s of t h e l a k e t h e
s h o r e l i n e i s f a i r l y r e g u l a r , b u t i n t h e n o r t h e r n and e a s t e r n
s e c t i o n s the s h o r e l i n e i s extremely i r r e g u l a r . Many l a r g e and
small i s l a n d s a r e found i n t h e O n t a r i o s e c t i o n of t h e lake. This
a r e a i s widely used f o r f i s h i n g and h u n t i n g by p e o p l e from many
s e c t i o n s of t h e United S t a t e s and Canada.
Topography
The topographic f e a t u r e s of t h e watershed have been shaped
l a r g e l y by the heavy s h e e t of i c e t h a t covered t h e r e g i o n d u r i n g
t h e g l a c i a l period. The l e v e l i n g a c t i o n of t h e i c e r e s u l t e d i n
a t e r r a i n c h a r a c t e r i z e d by r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l d i f f e r e n c e s i n e l e v a t i o n .
I n O n t a r i o t h e a v e r a g e s l o p e of t h e upland b o r d e r i n g t h e r i v e r
p r o p e r i s l e s s than one f o o t p e r mile. The g e n e r a l s l o p e i n a
s o u t h w e s t e r l y d i r e c t i o n towards Rainy R i v e r i s somewhat g r e a t e r , b u t
i s i n t e r r u p t e d by i s o l a t e d a r e a s a t times s e v e r a l hundred f e e t high.
The maximum r e l i e f of t h e a r e a i s 300 f e e t b u t t h e averaee i s v e r y
much l e s s .
Rainy River i s a remarkable r i v e r i n t h a t i t n e a r l y f i t s i t s
banks and has few meanders. Throughout much of i t s c o u r s e t h e
banks r i s e a b r u p t l y on both s i d e s . The banks have g e n e r a l l y
rounded, smooth, g r a s s covered slopes. I n t h e upper p a r c of i t s
course t h e inmediate banks a r e g e n e r a l l y 25 t o 35 f e e t high, A t
many p o i n t s t h e r i v e r v a l l e y i s n o t g r e a t e r than two o r t h r e e times
t h e width of t h e r i v e r i t s e l f . The r i v e r has very l i t t l e f l o o d
p l a i n even i n i t s lower p o r t i o n .
The average width of t h e r i v e r i s approximately 200 y a r d s , and
i t s depth i n mid-channel g e n e r a l l y v a r i e s from 10 t o 20 f e e t . Downstream from t h e dam a t F o r t Frances t h e r e a r e two rapidg i n f l u e n c i n g
t h e flow i n t h e stream. The f i r s t occurs a t Planitou ~ a p i d s ,35 miles
downs tream from F o r t Frances, where a rocky b a r r i e r c a u s e s a
c o n s t r i c t i o n of t h e channel of t h e r i v e r t o about h a l f i t s normal
width, The f a l l h e r e i s about 1.5 f e e t , Seven miles f a r t h e r downThey a r e caused by boulders
stream t h e Long S a u l t Rapids begin.
i n t h e bed of t h e stream, and extend f o r about two m i l e s w i t h a n
estimated t o t a l f a l l of 5.5 f e e t .
The average g r a d i e n t f o r t h e ' s u r f a c e of the water i s 2.5
inches p e r m i l e from F o r t Frances t o t h e Rainy River-Baudette a r e a .
Disregarding t h e r a p i d s t h i s i s reduced t o 1.5 i n c h e s p e r mile.
Below Baudette t h e g r a d i e n t i s approximately one i n c h p e r mile.
Lake of t h e Woods i s n a t u r a l l y d i v i d e d i n t o two d i s t i n c t p o r t i o n s ,
a n o r t h e r n p o r t i o n c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a very i r r e g u l a r , rocky c o a s t l i n e
and having i t s s u r f a c e t h i c k l y d o t t e d w i t h i s l a n d s , and a s o u t h e r n
p o r t i o n g e n e r a l l y f r e e from i s l a n d s and bounded by low, sandy o r
marshy, s h o r e s w i t h g e n t l y c u r v i n g o u t l i n e s . The s o u t h e r n p o r t i o n
of t h e l a k e i s f o r t h e most p a r t s h a l l o w and r e p r e s e n t s a flooded
p o r t i o n of t h e deeply d r i f t - c o v e r e d p l a i n . I n t h e n o r t h e r n p a r t
of t h e l a k e t h e g r e a t e s t d e p t h i s r e p o r t e d t o be 84 f e e t .
Southwestward from t h e Lake of t h e Woods t h e sunanit of t h e
d i v i d e s e p a r a t i n g t h e waters which d r a i n westward t o Red River and
those d r a i n i n g i n t o t h e Lake of t h e Woods i s g e n e r a l l y composed of
d r i f t d e p o s i t s , i s swampy i n c h a r a c t e r , and f o r some q i s t a n c e i s
n o t over 30 f e e t above t h e lake. Hence t h e wooded p l g i n s of Rainy R i v e r
d i s t r i c t and t h e s o u t h e r n p o r t i o n of Lake of t h e Woods a r e p r a c t i c a l l y
continuous w i t h those of n o r t h e r n Minnesota and s o u t h e a s t e r n Manitoba.
Lake of t h e Woods i n 1913 was found t o have an a l t i t u d e of
1,061 f e e t , w i t h a maxirinnn v a r i a t i o n a t t h a t t i m e of gbout f i v e
f e e t . Since 1925, t h e l a k e l e v e l s have been c o n t r o l l e d by I.J.C.
regulations.
Geology
~ o h n s t o n ( 5 ) n o t e s t h a t t h e Rainy R i v e r D i s t r i c t o f O n t a r i o l i e s
j u s t a t t h e margin of t h e g r e a t L a u r e n t i a n P l a t e a u r e g i o n of Canada.
T h i s d i s t r i c t f o r t h e most p a r t i s u n d e r l a i n by Pre-Cambrian r o c k s ,
b u t i s g e n e r a l l y d e e p l y covered w i t h g l a c i a l and l a c u s t r i n e d e p o s i t s .
The w a t e r s of p r o - g l a c i a l ( g l a c i a l m a r g i n a l ) Lake A g a s s i z a t t h e i r
maximum e x t e n s i o n covered n e a r l y t h e whole a r e a , and t h e d e p o s i t i o n
of l a c u s t r i n e s e d i m e n t s l e s s e n e d t h e r e l i e f and gave p a r t o f t h e
s u r f a c e t h e c h a r a c t e r of a p l a i n . A l a r g e p a r t of t h e a r e a , however,
where t i l l o r b o u l d e r c l a y forms t h e s u r f a c e , i s g e n t l y u n d u l a t i n g ,
b u t even i n t h e s e a r e a s t h e r e l i e f i s s l i g h t . N o t a b l e f e a t u r e s i n
t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e s u r f a c e ( a l o n g Rainy R i v e r ) a r e t h e g e n e r a l
absence of l a k e s due t o t h e e v e n l y aggraded c h a r a c t e r o f t h e d r i f t
d e p o s i t s , and t h e l a r g e swampy a r e a s where d r a i n a g e i s p o o r l y o r
n o t a t a 1 1 developed.
A c o n s i d e r a b l e p o r t i o n of t h e s u p e r f i c i a l d e p o s i t s of t h e r e g i o n
c o n s i s t s of c a l c a r e o u s t i l l o r b o u l d e r c l a y c o n t a i n i n g a l a r g e
p r o p o r t i o n of l i m e s t o n e , s i m i l a r t o t h a t which o u t c r o p s n e a r
Winnipeg, Manitoba. The t i l l s h e e t o c c u p i e s l a r g e a r e a s i n t h e
s o u t h e r n p o r t i o n of t h e r e g i o n , a l o n g t h e Rainy R i v e r , b u t i s
e n t i r e l y a b s e n t i n t h e n o r t h e r n p o r t i o n , and i n t h e e a s t e r n p a r t
does n o t e x t e n d beyond F o r t Frances. The c a l c a r e o u s o r g r a y t i l l
i s u n d e r l a i n i n p l a c e s by " r e d d r i f t " , c o n s i s t i n g of a non-calcareous
t i l l and f l u v i o - g l a c i a l s a n d s and g r a v e l d e r i v e d from a n i c e s h e e t
advancing from t h e n o r t h e a s t , a c r o s s a r e g i o n u n d e r l a i n by P r e Cambrian c r y s t e 1 , l i n e rock. Hence t h e red d r i f t c o n t a i n s no limestone.
At one l o c a l i t y t h e r e d d r i f t was found t o be u n d e r l a i n by a
s t i l l o l d e r d e p o s i t of c a l c a r e o u s d r i f t which was, presumably,
d e r i v e d , f r o r n t h e northwest. L a t e r than a l l t h e above d e p o s i t s a r e
t h e l a c u s t r i n e and l i t t o r a l d e p o s i t s of p r o - g l a c i a l Lake Agassiz.
They occupy c o n s i d e r a b l e a r e a s i n t h e d i s t r i c t and o c c u r through
a range of a l t i t u d e s of n e a r l y 100 f e e t . T h e i r maximum t h i c k n e s s i s ,
i n p l a c e s , a t l e a s t 30 f e e t .
The Rainy River watershed i n Minnesota c o n s i s t s a l m o s t e n t i r e l y
of a g r a v e l l y , c l a y e y s u b s o i l covered w i t h sandy o r c l a y e y loam w i t h
p o r t i o n s of t h e a r e a covered w i t h p e a t y m a t e r i a l , An e x c e p t i o n t o
t h i s i s a band a l o n g t h e extreme s o u t h edge o f t h e watershed i n
I t a s c a and S t . Louis C o u n t i e s , which i s t h e uppermost s e c t i o n of
t h e watersheds of t h e Big Fork and L i t t l e Fork Rivers. The e a s t e r n
o n e - t h i r d of t h i s band i s c l a y w i t h b o u l d e r s and t h e remainder
g r a v e l l y , sandy loam, There a r e a l s o s c a t t e r e d s m a l l i s l a n d s of
g r a v e l l y , sandy loam i n Koochiching County. I n a few a r e a s t h e PreCambrian c r y s t a l l i n e r o c k c r o p s o u t a t t h e s u r f a c e a l o n g t h e
Rainy River.
Climate
Long term climatological records of the United States Weather
Bureau Stations at Baudette, Tower, and International Falls, and
the Canadian Meteorological Branch Stations at Atikokan, Fort Frances,
Mine Centre, and Upsala provided the data sunnnarized in Table 3.
Table 3 (2a)*.
Climatological Data Summary
U. S. Weather
Bureau Stations
Canadian Meteorological
Branch Stations
Precipitation (inches)
Mean annual
Mean Oc tober-March
Snowfall (inches)
Mean annual
Range
60.1 (Int. Falls)
----
Temperature (degrees F.)
Mean annual
Mean October-March
Mean April-September
Highest
Lowest
The watershed is characterized by warm pleasant summers and cold
snowy winters. The direction of the prevailing wind varies from
month to month and from year to year. During the winter the winds
are generally from the west, northwest and north. During the spring
months easterly and northeasterly winds occur more frequently than
at any other season, but there is also great variation. During the
summer southerly and southwesterly winds more c m o n l y occur, and
during the autumn months southwesterly and westerly winds prevail.
Destructive windstorms rarely occur in this region.
Population
The population in the area based on the census years of 1960
and 1961 totaled approximately 47,000, Five communities have
populations in excess of 1,000. Their combined total equals 42 per
cent of the population in the watershed. Population growth was
*Table numbers in parentheses correspond with those in the Board's
full report.
moderate up to 1940 and since has declined slightly. Recent increases
in urban population have been more than offset by declines in rural
population. Population density expressed in persons per square
mile is approximately 27 in Ontario and slightly over 5 in Minnesota.
Figure 2 shows population trends since 1910-1911. Changes in urban
population are shown in Table 4.
Table 4 (3).
/
Municipality
Urban Population Changes
-11
-21
Fort Frances, Ontario
2,780
Rainy River, Ontario
1,572
International Falls, Minn. 1,487
South Int. Falls, Minn.
Baudette, Minnesota
TOTALS
2,818
1,404
3,448
283
-----
-31
-41
'-51
-61
5,003 5,410
1,680 1,150
5,036 5,626
939 1,299
8,114
1,348
6,269
1.,840
9,481
1,168
6,778
2,479
Land Use and Development
--The Rainy River watershed in both Canada and the United States
is devoted mainly to agricultural, silvicultural, and recreational
uses. Fur farming, forest products industries, and commercial fishing
also exist, In International Falls and Fort Frances extensive pulp
and paper manufacturing facilities have developed. The large peat
deposits in the swampy areas may have future potentialities for
commercial development. In the early days, lumbering was the outstanding industry, but presently it is of lesser significance.
Recreational facilities such as summer cottages, resorts, fishing
areas and bathing beaches are widely scattered in the Rainy River
watershed and in the area adjacent to Lake of the Woods. On Rainy
River proper from Fort Frances to Baudette limited recreational
facilities have been developed. In this section of the river very
few summer homes, practically no bathing areas, and few boats are
encountered. In the lower part of the river, especially near the
Sioux and Manitou Rapids, there is a limited amount of sport fishing.
Along the reach of the river from Baudette to the mouth there has
been extensive development of recreational facilities and there is
considerable sport fishing.
Practically all of the farming in the Minnesota section of the
watershed is found in Koochiching and Lake of the Woods,counties.
Approximately 864 farms comprising 213,500 acres are included.in the
two counties. The principal crops are hay, grains, and potatoes.
Table 5 indicates the acreage of the important crops.
Figure 2
POPULATION
.
TRENDS
1910'1961
MINNESOTA
0
DATA
FROM
CENSUS YEARS
C A N A D I A N ' AND U. S.
- 20 -
CENSUS
BUREAUS
Table 5 (6).
Crop
Oats
Barley
Spring Wheat
Flax Seed
Crop D i s t r i b u t i o n i n Rainy River Watershed (Minnesota)
Acres
Crop
Acres
14,397
1,756
3,679
5,372
Winter Wheat
Potatoes
A l l hay c r o p s
Rye
499
1,374
31,518
688
.
I n O n t a r i o t h e g e n e r a l f l a t topography and accompanying poor
d r a i n a g e tended t o r e s t r i c t e a r l y s e t t l e m e n t t o narrow s t r i p s p a r a l l e l
t o t h e bank of Rainy River. The h e a v i l y f o r e s t e d a r e a c r e a t e d
d i f f i c u l t problems i n t h e c l e a r i n g of land f o r a g r i c u l t u r e . It was.
not u n t i l a r t i f i c i a l d r a i n a g e measures were taken t h a t l a r g e a r e a s
could be brought under c u l t i v a t i o n . Even today, farming i s r e s t r i c t e d
t o a s t r i p of about f i v e t o s e v e n ' m i l e s i n d e p t h back from t h e r i v e r .
The s o i l i n t h e a r e a being of l a c u s t r i n e o r i g i n , enriched by t h e
humus formed through c e n t u r i e s of f o r e s t growth, c o n t i n u e s t o s u p p o r t
mixed farming, p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e c u l t i v a t i o n of f o r a g e and r o o t crops.
Livestock and d a i r y farming ar.e important along t h e Rainy River.
An economic survey of t h e a r e a showed t h a t t h e r e a r e 1,371
farms w i t h 90,294 a c r e s of improved land i n t h e Rainy River D i s t r i c t
i n Ontario. The improved land i s about 5.9 p e r c e n t of t h e t o t a l
land a r e a . According t o t h e 1956 s t u d y , 14,799 a c r e s were i n s p r i n g
g r a i n w i t h t h e l a r g e s t p o r t i o n of t h i s acreage, 8,200, i n o a t s . The
t o t a l number of a c r e s i n hay was 44,558. Livestock i s t h e main
e n t e r p r i s e on most farms, t h e t o t a l number of c a t t l e being 16,148.
Sheep a r e a l s o a good source of revenue, with a t o t a l number of 6,265.
A l a r g e number of farmers, i t was s t a t e d , do not have s u f f i c i e n t
l i v e s t o c k and a c r e s of land under c u l t i v a t i o n t o provide a s u f f i c i e n t
income. Many supplement t h e i r income by c u t t i n g pulpwood o r t i m b e r
d u r i n g the winter months. A number of farms a r e no longer used f o r
a g r i c u l t u r a l purposes.
HYDROMETRIC DATA
Sources
of
Information
Hydrometric d a t a presented i n t h i s r e p o r t were obtained from
a v a i l a b l e r e c o r d s and r e p o r t s of v a r i o u s governmental agencies.
Flow records of Rainy River a t I n t e r n a t i o n a l F a l l s - F o r t Frances
have been recorded s i n c e October, 1917, by t h e Water Resources
Branch, Canadian Department of Northern A f f a i r s and Natural Resources.
Records from October, 1905, t o October, 1917, were f u r n i s h e d by t h e
I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission.
Flow r e c o r d s a t Manitou Rapids on Rainy River have been recorded
by t h e U , S. Geologic'al Survey s i n c e November.10, 1934. From J u n e ,
1928, t o November, 1934, flows were measured by t h e U. S. Corps of
Engineers a t a s i t e near Birchdale, seven m i l e s downstream from
Manitou Rapids.
Flow recording s t a t i o n s a r e maintained on t h e L i t t l e Fork and
Big Fork, and Warroad R i v e r s , a t L i t t l e Fork, Big F a l l s , and
Warroad,respectively.
Flow d a t a on o t h e r t r i b u t a r i e s on t h e U. S.
s i d e a r e not available.
I n O n t a r i o flow recording s t a t i o n s a r e maintained on t h e Pine,
Sturgeon and La Vallee Rivers a t Pinewood, Barwick and Devlin,
respectively.
Flow C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
Rainy River a t I n t e r n a t i o n a l F a l l s
-
F o r t Frances
The watershed above t h i s s t a t i o n i s approximately 14,900 square
miles, o f w h i c h 10,360 square m i l e s are i n O n t a r i o and 4,540 square
m i l e s are i n Minnesota.
Discharge and runoff d a t a : (Discharge r e c o r d s , 56 water y e a r s ,
October 1, 1905 t o September 30, 1961; runoff r e c o r d s , 45 water
y e a r s , October 1, 1905 t o September 30, 1950).
- -------
(Maximum d a i l y
Flow (Minimum d a i l y
(Mean
--
(Maximum
Annual runoff (Minimum
(Mean
-
47,900 cfs ( J u l y 7, 1950)
40 cfs ( A p r i l 20, 1941)
9,100 c f s
19.05 inches
2.94 inches
8.24 inches
Monthly runoff
maximum 3.86 inches
Data above i s based on unadjusted records.
-- (1950)
(1924)
(June 1950)
Flow duration data: (Records available from October 1, 1909
to September 30, 1961)
--
---
Exceeded 99.8 per cent of the time
Exceeded SO per cent of the time
1,000 cfs daily flow
8,000 cfs daily flow
The flow duration data, because of the regulation of upstream
reservoirs for power development, do not reflect natural conditions.
The outflow from Rainy Lake is controlled by the Minnesota and
Ontario Paper Company at the dam at International Falls-Fort Prances
subject to the regulations of the International Joint Conanission.
Rainy River at Manitou ' ~ a p i d s
The watershed above this gaging station is about 19,400 square
miles. It includes, in addition to the headwaters area, the watershed of the Big Fork and Little Fork Rivers comprising 3,900 square
miles, and 600' square miles tributary to minor streams entering the
Rainy River.
Discharge and runoff data: (Complete records available for
34 water years, October 1, 1928 to September 30, 1962)
- - - -- 71,600
cfs (May 12, 1950)
928 cfs (Dec. 26, 1929)
- - - - - 11,800
cfs
(Maximum - 16.31 inches - (1950)
Annuel runoff (Minimum - 3.13 inches - (1931)
(Mean - - 8.26 inches
(Maximum
Flow (Minimum daily
(Mean
Monthly runoff
- maximum
3.15 inches (May 1950)
Flow duration data: .(Complete records available from
Octobe'r 1, 1933 to September 30, 1962)
3.,000 cfs daily flow
- -- -- 10,000
cfs daily flow
Exceeded 99.6 per cent of the time
Exceeded 50 per cent of the time
Figures 3 through 5 show the flow characteristics of Rainy River
at International Falls-Fort Frances and at Manitou Rapids.
Time of flow studies made by the Minnesota and Ontario Paper
company(6) indicate that approximately 14 days are required for water
to travel the 70 miles from International Falls to Baudette. Their
studies were made during a period in which the flow ranged from
3,500 to 4,700 cfs. Additional flow times are given in Table 6.
Table 6 (7).
Time of Passage of Water Down Rainy River
(Based on an Average Flow of 4 , 0 0 0 c f s )
Location
Above
Below
Below
Above
R. R.
L i t t l e Fork River'
Manitou Rapids
Saul t Rapids
Rapid River
Bridge a t Baudette
Miles Downs trearn
from I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Falls
12
36
44
62
70
Time of Passage
from I n t e r n a tional Falls
16
44
52
11
14
hours
hours
hours
days (approx.)
days (approx.)
P o r t e n t of time i n d i c a t e d discharge wa8 r q u a l l e d or exceeded
Figure 4
-
26-
Porcant ot time i n d i c a t e d discharge war equalled or exceeded
Figure 4
USES OF BOUNDARY WATERS
--
Domestic Water Supply
Municipal and industrial water supplies for International Falls
and Fort Frances are obtained from surface waters. Rural domestic
and farm supplies are obtained mainly from wells.
Fort Frances pumps water from Rainy Lake through an intake a
short distance above the outlet of the lake. It is chlorinated only.
The Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company obtains water from the
Rainy River just above the International Bridge. Its modern water
purification plant, which includes flocculation, sedimentation,
filtration and chlorination, processes water for the cities of
International Falls and South International Falls, as well as for
the mill manufacturing processes.
In the lower watershed on the Ontario side the town of Rainy
River obtains water from the river with chlorination as the only
treatment. There is no public supply at either Emo or Barwick.
On the Minnesota side the Villages of Baudette, Big Falls, Big Fork,
Cook, Little Fork and Warroad have municipal water systems, and
all obtain water from wells in the glacial drift. Most of the rural
domestic and farm supplies are secured also from wells in the glacial
drift.
A large number,of people temporarily residing in the resort
areas during the s m e r months obtain their domestic water from
wells. There may be instances in which some individuals outside
the resort areas use untreated surface waters.
Sewage Disposal
The sanitary wastes from all sewered communities in the watershed
ultimately reach the Rainy River. International Falls has secondary
treatment facilities and South International Falls has recently
constructed sewage stabilization ponds to provide adequate treatment.
Other sewered communities on the Minnesota side of the drainage basin
have primary treatment facilities. On the Ontario side only the Towns
of Fort Frances and Rainy River have public sewers. Fort Frances has
no treatment and Rainy River has only sedimentation facilities which
are inadequate.
Domestic wastes from approximately 23,000 persons enter the Rainy
River directly or indirectly. The most concentrated sewage loading
occurs in the Fort Frances-International Falls area where the
untreated wastes from approximately 9,500 people in Fort Frances and
F i n a l c l a r i f i e r , f i l t e r and o p e r a t i n g h o u s e ,
I n t e r n a t i o n a l F a l l s waste t r e a t m e n t p l a n t .
August 3 , 1962.
the satisfactorily treated wastes of nearly 9,000 people in the
International Falls area are added to these waters. Other communities
along the river are relatively small. Presently Fort Frances,
Rainy River, and Rno are planning the construction of treatment
facilities.
Navigation
At present the Rainy River is little used for navigational
purposes. Log rafts are towed across Rainy Lake to the mills
at Fort Frances and International Falls during the summer. The
dam at the mills, the two rapids, and modern land transportation
facilities tend to discourage the use of the river for navigation
for comnercial purposes.
Power and
--
Irrigation
At International Falls-Fort Frances the Minnesota and Ontario
Paper Company uses water from Rainy Lake reservoir for the
operation of a steam and hydroelectric plant. The hydroelectric
plant at Big Falls in the Big Fork basin is the only source of
water power from tributaries of Rainy River proper on the United
States side.
Three hydroelectric stations are located at the outlet of
Lake of the Woods in Canada. These stations are important in
controlling the water level in Lake of the Woods.
No irrigation is carried on in the Minnesota section of the
watershed or in the Rainy River District of Ontario.
Industrial Uses
The pulp and paper mills a t Fort Frances and International Falls
are the main industrial water users in the watershed. Large quantities
of good quality water are essential to their operations. Essentially
all of the used water is returned directly to the river. In some
operations the water is not appreciably changed while in other
operations the character is altered, The Minnesota and Ontario mill
at International Falls processes approximately 1,000 cords of pulpwood
daily requiring about 55 million U. S. gallons (46 million Imperial
gallons) of water per day. The Ontario and Minnesota mill at Fort
Frances processes approximately 500 cords of pulpwood daily using
about 23 million Imperial gallons of water (28 million U. S. gallons)
per day.
Industrial users of water of lesser magnitude include a brewery,
a railroad tie plant, two milk plants and two soft drink plants
in Fort Frances. Their water is obtained from the municipal supply.
A creamery in the Village of Rainy River is the only other industrial
water user of importance on the Canadian side.
.Three slaughtering plants, three soft drink plants, and a milk
plant are located in ~nternationalFalls. Their water is obtained
from the municipal supply.
Recreational
Uses
Rainy River from International Falls-Fort Frances to Baudette
is little used for recreational purposes. The high levels of color,
turbidity, bacterial count, and suspended solids, render this
reach of the river generally unattractive for bathing, boating, and
fishing. Some sport fishing is done in the Long Sault and Manitou
Rapids areas.
The section of Rainy River adjacent to Lake of the lJoods has
a well developed resort area and attracts a considerable number of
people interested in fishing and boating. Boats are available in
this area for transportation to various sections of Lake of the
Woods. Canoeing in the lake areas has been popular for many years.
Estimates based on a 1958 Vacation Travel survey(7) indicate
that approximately eight per cent of the resort facilities in
Minnesota are located in the Rainy River Watershed, and the amount
spent by travelers and vacationers in this area is about $2,500,000
annually
.
Fish and Wild Life
---Sport fishing is carried on extensively in much of these
boundary waters. In Lake of the Woods, connnercial fishing is permitted.
Muskellunge, lake trout, small mouth bass, wall-eyed pike, great
northern pike, crappies, rock bass, whitefish, bullheads, perch and
sturgeon are common to this area. Rainy River above Baudette is not
widely used as a fishing area. In autumn duck and geese hunters
flock to the area, where wild rice feeding grounds attract thousands
of migratory wild fowl.
~
u
t
e
!
~
)
states that in the Rainy River Country "one may still
see ruffed, pinneated, spruce, and sharp-tailed grouse, timber and
brush wol$res, bear, lynx, snowshoe hares, mink, otter, marten, beaver,
and a few other rarer animals," Deer are still common in the area,
and moose are occasionally noted.
*
Gonanercial F i s h i n g
No comercCa1 f i s h i n g i s permitted i n the Rainy River. Lake
o f the Woods has an e x t e n s i v e and valuable f i s h e r y , and commercial
f i s h i n g l i c e n s e s are i s s u e d by both the S t a t e o f Minnesota and the
Province of Ontario.
Ft
+'
4
4
, < a
.
4
1
$:
SOURCES AND CMRACTER
OF
POLLUTION
Rainy River Watershed
In Rainy River domestic and industrial wastes are prevalent.
The situation for the entire watershed is as,follows:
Domestic wastes. Many small communities are located in the
watershed on either side of the border, but relatively few have
sewer systems or treatment facilities. Generally, the domestic
wastes in these communities are disposed of by soil absorption,
thus they do not necessarily constitute a problem of river
pollution.
The sewered communities in the area and data pertaining to the
treatment methods used are shown in Table 7. Of the 47,266
estimated population in the watershed only about 23,800 live in
sewered areas. Of those in the sewered area approximately 60 per
cent have some form of waste water treatment with about one-third
having secondary treatment facilities. When Fort Frances, Emo,
and Rainy River complete their current construction plans all of
the sewered area will have treatment facilities.
Minor sources of waste exist outside the communities listed in
Table 7. Among these are three Minnesota schools adjacent to
Rainy River, located at Border, Indus, and Loman. The three
schools, with a combined daytime attendance of 217, discharge their
waste to septic tanks which drain to the river. In addition,
residences, summer cottages, resorts, motels, trailer establishments,
and a few small communities are located on Rainy River. In some
instances their sewage may be discharged into the boundary waters,
but ordinarily it passes through septic tanks and into some form
of soil absorption system. The transient summer population directly
on Rainy River is estimated to reach 800 at times.
Industrial wastes. Industry contributes the greatest volume and
strength of waste water to Rainy River. These wastes affect the
water-mainly from a physical and chemical rather than a bacterial
standpoint. The chief objections to industrial wastes are the
taste and odor producing compounds, the high oxygen demand, the high
solids content, the color, and the toxic and physical effect on ,
fish and other biological life.
'
,.
In planning the survey, various types of substances were
anticipated in the domestic and industrial wastes discharged to Rainy
River. Coliform organisms are contributed chiefly by domestic sewage
rather than by industrial wastes. Highly toxic substances were not
Table 7 (10).
Public Sewage Works
-
,
Comwuni ty
Flow
Design
Fort Frances, Ont.
N. A.
N.A.
9,481
1,580*
Rainy R.
(1) None
International Falls, Minn,
714,000
800,000
6,778
250
Rainy R.
Secondary
South Int. Falls, Minn.
N'.A.
N.A.
2,479
38*
Rainy L.
Oxidation ponds
Emo. Ont.
N. A.
N.A.
630
loo*
Rainy R,
(2) None
Rainy River, Ont.
N.A.
N.A.
1,168
160*
Rainy R.
(3) Primary
Baudette, Minn.
200,000
331,000
1,597
480
Rainy R.
Primary
Little.Fork, Minn.
30,000
Cook, Minn.
33,000
Wi 11iams , Minn.
U. S. Air Force A.C.W.
Station, Minn.
Gals./~a~
Present
N.A.
Population To stream Receiving
1960-61
lbs./day
Stream
Treatment
805
90*
Little Fork R.
Primary
50,000
527
60*
Little Fork R,
Primary
60,000
120,000
317
17
Zipple Creek
Primary
32,000
5,000
50
Baudette Re
Secondary
'
W
r?8
TOTALS
-
23,832
Not Available
N.A.
Estimated
(1) Presently under construction (1963)
(2) Presently planning sewers and treatment works
(3) Presently planning secondary treatment (oxidation pond)
*
4*
2,759
expected in appreciable amounts from the industries located in the
watershed. Cyanides and various heavy metals were not considered
of enough importance in this area to be included in the list of
materials investigated. Phenols or phenol-like compounds were
found in appreciable quantities in a few areas of the river
adjacent to the mills and at times in some pulp and paper waste
sewers. Some of the high phenol concentrations were found in the
sewers from the debarking and grinding operations, indicating that
natural wood contributes substances that react as phenols.
Wastes creating a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the
stream are common to nearly all industries in the area. Wastes
from milk plants, food processing, breweries, and pulp and paper
mills, all contain relatively large amounts of fats, proteins,
or carbohydrates that are readily degraded.by biological life in
the stream with a consequent depletion of dissolved oxygen. Wood
sugars from the pulping process have especially high oxygen demand.
Biological sewage treatment ordinarily reduces the BOD of wastes by
70 to 95 per cent. Primary treatment may accomplish reductions
up to about 35 per cent.
Suspended solids are present in most industrial wastes, but
milk plant and soft drink processing wastes normally have very
low concentrations. The other industries in the watershed discharge
considerable quantities of suspended solids. Reduction of these
solids by waste treatment may be very effective. Primary treatment
is expected to obtain suspended solids reductions up to about 60 per
cent and additional treatment may accomplish up to 95 per cent
removal. With the exception of some pulp and paper wastes nearly
all the industrial wastes receive at least primary treatment.
Lignin is a c m o n constituent in streams flowing through
wooded and swampy areas. Pulp and paper wastes usually exhibit
high concentrations of lignin as a result of the separation of
wood fibers and a liberation of lignin in the pulping process.
Other industries in the area normally discharge little or no
lignin.
Oils and greases present little problem in this river. With
the exception of slaughtering plants little grease is expected
from the industries. All the slaughtering wastes undergo at least
primary treatment which removes the bulk of these substances.
The two wood treating plants use creosote or similar materials,
but there was no evidence that these substances were being discharged
into the river. Occasional findings of wax, grease, or similar
materials in the river or on the shore have been reported.
Taste and odor were not determined on waste samples or river
water because there has been no history of a problem of this nature.
The source and estimated amount of industrial wastes not
receiving treatment in municipal waste treatment plants are given
in Table 8, It may be noted from this table that the bulk of the
industrial waste discharge occurs in the Fort Frances-International
Falls area. The wastes originating in Fort Frances are discharged
to Rainy River without treatment either through the municipal
sewerage system or directly, in the case of the Ontario and Minnesota
Paper Co. Ltd, At International Falls all wastes, with the exception
of the pulp and paper wastes, are discharged to the municipal sewers
and consequently are given biological treatment, The pulp and paper
wastes are discharged directly to Rainy River. Approximately
60 per cent of the domestic sewage from the Minnesota and Ontario
Paper Company is included with their industrial wastes. The
remaining 40 per cent is segregated and diverted to the International
Falls municipal sewer system.
The Ontario and Minnesota Pulp and Paper Co. Ltd. at Fort
Frances is located on the north bank of the Rainy River at the end
of the power and control dam. The production of pulp is based
entirely on the groundwood process, supplying the needs for newsprint
and specialty paper production, as well as supplying a portion of
the pulp required for the International Falls operation. Sulfite
pulp used in the production of paper is pumped in a pipeline as
slush stock Prom the U. S. Mill, Kraft pulp that is used is trucked
in from the International Falls plant. Average wood consumption is
approximately 500 cords per day and the average paper production
approximates 400 tons per day. The total mill employment averages
about 640 persons, The mill waste waters are conveyed directly
to the river through five sewers,
The Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company at International Falls
is located on the south bank of the Rainy River, opposite the
Canadian Mill, at the end of the power and control dam. Pulp is
produced by the groundwood process, the sulfite process, and the
kraft process. A portion of the pulp from the latter two processes
is supplied to the Fort Frances mill for its paper production. The
wood delivered for sulfite, .Kraft and Insulite pulp production
averaged approximately 340, 240, and 170 cords per day, respectively,
in 1960 and 330, 290, and 410 cords per day in 1961. Finished
products averaged approximately 320 and 330 tons of paper in 1960
and 1961, respectively, and 440 and 710 tons of Insulite board
daily in 1960 and 1961. The total mill employment averages about
2,000. The mill waste waters are conducted to Rainy River through
11 sewers. (See Appendix for schematic diagrams of pulp, paper, and
paper board manufacturing processes.)
Pulp and Paper Mill Surveys
-
Waste surveys of the mills of the Minnesota and Ontario Paper
Company and of the Ontario
Minnesota Pulp and Paper Company Ltd.
Table 8 (11).
Industrial Wastes Not Receiving Treatment in Municipal Waste Treatment Plants
Location and Name
Process or Product
BOD
lbs/day
Groundwood, kraft and
sulfite pulping,
bleaching, manufacturing of paper and
various board
1960
162,000
1961
232,700
Waste Treatment and
Control
Disposal
MINNESOTA
International Falls
Minnesota & Ontario
Paper Co.
Grabills Farm Market
I
W
u
I
Slaughtering
-
25*
Save-alla, bark recovery
plant, settling pond,
foam barrier, sulfite
liquor for road binder
Rainy River
Septic tank, drain
tile to surface
Soil or Rainy
River
Rice River to
Rainy River
Bin Fork
Big Fork Valley Coop
Creamery Association
Londn
Loman Co-op, Crearn-
Butter
5*
Septic tank.
milk sold
Butter-
Butter
15*
Septic tank
Soil or Hoose
Creek.to Black
R. to Rainy R.
Slaughtering
IS*
Septic tank, solids
and blood hauled out,
sanitary sewage to
municipal system
Zipple 'Creek
to ~ a k eof the
Woods
Septic tank
Rainy River
ery ~ssociation
Wi 11iams
Williams Cash
Market
ONTARIO
Fort Frances
Fort Frances Brewing Co. Ltd.
Beer
Table 8 (11).
Cont'd.
Waste Treatment and
Control
Disposal
# i l k products
None
Rainy River
F o r t Frances Dairy
Milk products
None
Rainy River
Beck's Beverage Ltd.
Soft drinks
S e p t i c tank
Rainy River
O n t a r i o Minnesota
Pulp & Paper Co.
Croundwood pulping
and paper manuf ac t u r -
S a v e - a l l s , bark recovery
p l a n t , screens
Rainy River
Location and Name
Process o r Product
BOD
lbslday
--
ONTARIO
Cont'd.
F o r t Frances
Borden Dairy
Ltd.
I
W
OD
I
Rainy River
Dairy
Milk products
1961 22,800
1962 12,000
1960
23,300
Rainy River
were made during the summer periods of 1960 to 1962. .The surveys of
the Minnesota mill were made in 1960 and 1961 under the supervision
,of members'of the staff of the Section of Water Pollution Control,
Minnesota Department of Health. The surveys of the Ontario mill
were made under the supervision of members of the staff of the
Ontario Water Resources Commission in 1960, 1961, and 1962.
M&O P l a n t S u l f i t e Sewer b a s i n
-
o n l y one
l e f t i n t a c t a f t e r h i g h w a t e r of May-June,
1962
Flow Measuring and Sampling I n s t a l l a t i o n a t
n o t e b a r r e l b a f f l e t o h o l d back
f l o a t i n g material'. August 2 , 1962.
MsX) p l a n t
-
1
POLLUTION EFFECTS 3 BOUNDARY WATER QUALITY
The effects of pollution in Rainy River have been measured by
chemical, bacteriological, biological and physical examinations.
In the present investigation, the analytical results show that
pollution is due to both domestic and industrial wastes. Sampling
covered Rainy Lake near its outlet, Rainy River, streams tributary
to Rainy River, Lake of the Woods near the mouth of Rainy River
and various pulp and paper mill sewers.
Comparison
of
1913 and 1960-61 Bacteriological Results
A comparison of the bacteriological quality of the water in
various sections of the Rainy River watershed in 1913 with that
found in the 1960-61 survey is made in Table 9 (41).
The 1913
findings, based on B, Coli expressed in terms of the "Phelps Index",
are compared to the present findings based on MF coliform counts.
Not all ranges and stations in the two surveys are identical, but
those included in the table are. All coliform values shown are
mean values for each range under consideration. The table indicates
the number of samples on which each mean is based.
Coliform levels near the outlet of Rainy Lake have slightly
incrsased since the original survey, reflecting the increased use.
of the lake. In Rainy River at ranges 86.4 and 83.5, both upstream
from the main sewer outfalls of Fort Frances and International
Falls, there has been no appreciable change in coliform density over
the years. At all Rainy River stations below the International FallsFort Frances area a highly significant increase in coliform numbers
has occurred. The present bacterial load in Rainy River below the
mills ranges up to 55 times greater than in 1913. At that time the
overall increase in B. Coli from Rainy Lake to Rainy River was
approximately 10 fold as compared to a 500 fold increase in coliform
organisms at the present time. Bacterial levels in tributaries to
Rainy River show only moderate changes over the years, The effects
of this increased bacterial contamination in the river are not
evident in the Lake of the Woods.
-
The median coliform concentrations found during the 1960 1962
investigation for Rainy River are shown graphically in Figure 6.
Rainy River
Water of good quality entered Rainy River at Ranier. The
bacterial quality decreased appreciably from Ranier to the International
Bridge but the chemical and physical characteristics changed only
slightly. At the first two ranges below the pulp and paper mills,
ranges 83.3 and 82.2, dramatic changes in the water quality were found.
Table 9 (41).
Comparision of Coliform Numbers 1913 and 1960-61
Rainy River
Location
Comparable Ranges
1913
1960-61
1913
No.
Samples
Average
B. Coli/100 ml
Rainy River Outlet
International Bridge
Below Int'l Falls
Near Little Fork R.
Near Black River
Near Fmo
Above Rainy River
Below Baudette
Tributaries
Rainy River
Little Fork River
LaVallee River
Black River
Rainy Lake
Near Outlet
Lake of the Woods
---Near Mouth of
Rainy River
210-314 1A-4E
105
No.
Samples
1960-61
Average
MF Coliform/100 ml
At the former range the effects of the Ontario mill discharges and
the Fort Frances domestic wastes were evident. On the Minnesota
side of this range no appreciable changes were found in the physical
and chemical characteristics of the water, but the coliform count
increased from about 150 to'500 per 100 ml. At 50 feet from the
Ontario shore at range 83.3 the coliform counts ranged up to
140,000 per 100 ml, the DO dropped by about 0.5 mg/l, and the BOD
increased three to fourfold.
At range 82.2 the effect of the discharges from the Minnesota
mill became evident.. The coliform count near the Minnesota shore
ranged up to 36,000 per 100 ml. The BOD at station 1+00 averaged
approximately 15 mg/l, a tenfold increase. The average DO dropped
to 6.0 mg/l, down from 7.7 mg/l in Rainy Lake outlet. The suspended
solids increased 300 to 400 per cent and the lignin content increased
nearly sixfold. Near the mid-point of the river at this range the
average values of the chemical tests were not greatly changed from
those found above the mill sewers, indicating channeling of the
flow, with the strong wastes concentrated near each shore. The
coliform count is a sensitive indicator of pollution, and near the
mid-point of range 82.2 the count was approximately 12 to 15 times
that at International Bridge. The changes are illustrated in
Figures 6 through 10.
At range 77.5 the wastes had spread appreciably across the
river, but the concentrations remained high near each shore.
At ranges 71.2 and 64.8 the spread of the wastes across the
river became more apparent, and ,at range 60.2 the BOD and DO levels
were nearly uniform across the river, with values of about 3.0 and
6.0 mg/l, respectively. The turbidity, color, and lignin were also
moderately uniform across the river at this range. The suspended
solids and coliform count were somewhat higher in midstream than
near the banks.
At range 36.4, below the Manitou and Long Sault Rapids, there
were no appreciable differences in values at all sampling stations
across the river. Essentially complete mixing had been attained.
Sedimentation and bacterial stabilization had reduced the BOD to
approximately 2.0 mg/l, and the turbidity to about six units. The
volatile solids content at this range was approximately double
that found at the International Bridge.
As the water progressed downstream the DO dropped slowly to a
level of about 4.0 mg/l near Baudette, In the Baudette-Rainy River
area a slight increase in BOD and suspended solids, and a slight
decrease in DO were noted, .due to the presence of wastes from the
two conrmunities. A short distance downstream. an appreciable rise in
DO occurred, perhaps due to greater concentration of algae in slow
moving water in this area.
Bark, fiber, and chip deposits in an eddy of
Manitou Rapids. July 23, 1962.
At range 1.3 (Wheeler's Point) just above the mouth of Rainy
River the channel is wide. Near the Ontario shore the water is
shallow, heavy weed growths are present, and the flow is low. In
the main channel adjacent to the Minnesota shore DO levels of 4.0
to 5.0 mg/l were noted while near the .Ontario shore DO values
ranged from 6.0 to 7.7. Temperature, pH, color and BOD were also
higher along the Ontario shore,
The changes occurring in DO, BOD, lignin, and suspended solids
throughout the river are shown graphically in Figures 7 to 10.
Lake of the Woods
----
The analytical summary for samples taken from Lake of the Woods
near the mouth of Rainy River is presented in Table 10 (44). Figure 11
shows the approximate location of the sampling points in this section
of the watershed.
The water from Rainy Lake undergoes appreciable changes as it
passes down Rainy River. A comparison of the characteristics of
Rainy Lake water with those of Lake of the Woods water shows that
the pH has increased 0.4 units and the hardness, calcium and
alkalinity have nearly doubled. The coliform density in Lake of
the Woods water showed a remarkable recovery from the highly
contaminated condition in the upper reaches of Rainy River. The
dissolved oxygen deficiency noted in the lower section of Rainy
River disappeared and the DO level approximated those found at
Rainy Lake outlet.
The lignin content of Lake of the Woods is about 50 per cent
higher than in Rainy Lake but much lower than the average content
in Rainy River. The color shows but little change from Rainy Lake
to Lake of the Woods.
The BOD in Lake of the Woods was somewhat higher than that
found in Rainy Lake. The turbidity and suspended solids values were
higher than those found in Rainy Lake outlet. The total solids
content showed an increase of approximately 50 per cent from Rainy
Lake to Lake of the Woods, reflecting the effect of mill discharges
and tributary water.
The overall picture of Lake of the Woods' water quality is
satisfactory, Bacterial contamination is low, the oxygen demand
is moderate, the DO -is high, and the concentration of other
substances is normal for a lake of this region.
Biological Features
Data concerning the biological features of these waters were
secured from two rather exploratory surveys in 1960 and 1961
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
BOUNDARY WATERS P O L L U T I O N I N V E S T I G A T I O N
LAKE
OF
BIRCHDALE
BOUND.
SCALE :
HORIZONTAL
VERTICAL
-
-
DISTANCE FROM UNITED STATES SHORE,
AS INDICATED
NUMBER / 100 ML.
MEDIAN COLI FORM CONCENTRATION
Figure 6
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
BOUNDARY WATERS POLLUTION INVESTIGATION
1960 - 1962
LAKE
OF
BIRCHDALE
I
20
10
0
SCALE :
HORIZONTAL
VERTICAL
- AS
DISTANCE FROM UNITED
INDICATED
- MO./ L I T E R
S T A T E S SHORE,
Figure 7
l NTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
BOUNDARY WATERS POLLUTION INVESTIGA-TION
1960
- 1962
0
LAKE
OF
BIRCHDALE
20
10
0
- 82.2
RANGE
RANGE
0
200
- 83.3
4 0 0 1 ~ T , 6 0 0 800
BOUND
950
SCALE :
HORIZONTAL - DISTANCE FROM UNITED STATES SHORE,
AS INDICATED
MG. / L I TER
VERTICAL
-
AVERAGE 6.0.0. CONCENTRATION
Figure 8
INTERNATIONAL
JOINT COMMISSION
BOUNDARY WATERS P O L L U T I O N I N V E S T I G A T I O N
1960
- 1962
LAKE
RANGE
OF
- 60.2
m
I
40
20
0
INTERNATIONA
BWNO.
SCALE :
HORIZONTAL
VERTICAL
- AS
DISTANCE FROM
INDICATED
-
U N I T E D STATES SHORE,
MG./ L I T E R
AVERAGE SUSPENDED SOLIDS C O N C E N T R A T ION
Figure 9
INTERNATIONAL\JOINT COMMISSION
BOUNDARY WATERS P O L L U T I O N I N V E S T I G A T I O N
-
1960 1962
0
LAKE
OF
T H E WOODS
20
10
0
RANGE
- 60.2
--U)
20
10
0
.. .. .
-.. .
SCALE :
HORIZONTAL
VERTICAL
- DISTANCE F R O M U N I T E D S T A T E S
AS INDICATED
- Me./ L I T E R AS TANNIC A C I D
AVERAGE LlGN IN CONCENTRATION
SHORE,
Figure 10
View showing scum floating down river past
International Falls waste treatment plant.
1962
Member of field crew holding scum taken from
river near International Falls waste treatment,
plant. 1962
Sludge bank o f bark, f i b e r and c h i p s .
1962
F l o a t i n g mat o f bark, f i b e r and c h i p s w i t h
paddle supported on i t . 1962
Rainy River sampling. Left t o r i g h t , Lawrence A . Schmid, U. S. Public Health
Service; Thomas Shelton, Minnesota Department of Health; Richard Klippel,
U . S. Public Health Service. August 1962. (International F a l l s Daily Journal
Photograph)
-
Sta.
No.
Coli- Temp.
form
OC
Count
MF per
--
Upper values
averages
Lower values
No. of samples
Table 10 (44). Sunnnary of Analytical Data 1960-61 Lake of the Woods
pH
DO
BOD
Turbid- Lignin Color Total
Susp.
Hard- AlkalStan. mg/l mg/l
ity
Stan,
Solids Solids ness
inity
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
Units
Stan.
Units mg/l
Units
Calcium
mg/ 1
Sta.
No.
Coli-
form
Temp.
oC
Count
MF p e r
Average 7
20.6
T a b l e 10 (44). Cont'd,
pH'
DO
BOD
Turbid-.
S t a n . mg/l
mgll
ity
Units
Stan.
Units
7.9
7.7
1.7
10
--
Lignin
mg/l
Color
Stan.
Units
Upper v a l u e s
Averages
Lower v a l u e s
No. o f samples
Total
Susp.
HardAlkalSolids
Solids ness
inity
mgll
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
1.5
42
103
10
55
53
Calc'ium
m%/l
37
LAKE OF TFIG WOODS
(plankton and benthos) and a more intensive study of two and one-half
months duration in 1962. The latter phase included fishes, plankton,
and benthos. Aims of the plankton and benthos programs were determination of the influence of discharged wastes upon the composition,
concentration, and distribution of each population, assessment of
pollutional changes affecting their physical and chemical environment,
and delineation of indirect effects via stimulation of normally
sparse organisms.
In this particular report, only' the summary and conclusions of
the biological findings are herewith presented.
Biologically, Rainy River appeared to be most affected by wood
fiber and associated materials discharged from the pulp and paper
mills. Nutrient elements contained in municipal sewage effluents
and industrial wastes contributed to algal and slime growth. Studies
completed have provided basic information on the abundance and
distribution of the majority of organisms under present conditions.
These data, when compared with future conditions and biotas, will
allow estimation of benefits accruing from improved waste treatment,
or other effects related to industrial and municipal development
and growth.
suspended Fiber
Fresh suspended wood fiber was associated with Sphaeroti(slime) growths. The fiber often served as a substrate, both when
suspended and caught on obstructions, and Sphaerotilus growth generally
declined in reaches where wood fiber disappeared. Fresh wood fiber
deposits were unfavorable to the majority of bottom animals. In
the main path of wood fiber flow, finer fibers occurred near the river
surface and coarser fibers near. the bottom. Weight per volume also
increased with depth. Freshly discharged fibers were eventually
lost to sedimentation, but river deposits were reduced or removed by
a number of actions and no continuous year to year buildup was noted.
The most permanent deposits of any consequence were laid down in
Four Mile Bay, Lake of the Woods, Experiments w i t h line sets
indicated fiber entanglement at a rate that would seriously interfere
with angling and other fishing methods. Higher river stages slowed
sedimentation of fresh wood fiber and maintained its suspension
over greater stream distances.
Slime (Sphaerotilus) Growth
This filamentous bacterium began proliferation in reaches below
entry of the pulp mill wastes. Areas containing materials conducive
to its growth were rather sharply delimited by the presence of fresh
suspended wood fiber. It formed slimy coating on various obstructions,
including trapped wood fibers, in the upper river. Experiments
indicated complete coatings were developed from a few initial fibers
within 72 hours in late summer. Dislodged filaments were more concentrated than algae in a number of plankton samples.
Growth rates noted in sumner would appear to make slimes a
nuisance only in covering objects that remain submerged or largely
submerged for at least two or three days. Slime masses attached
to various obstructions contribute to unsightly conditions.
Plankton
Diatoms, blue-green algae, and green algae were the most
important planktons in that order. Rainy Lake populations that
entered the river were stimulated to greater growth by nutrients
contained in wastes discharged from the Fort Frances-International
Falls area, but these substances did not markedly affect the
composition of the plankton assemblages. Plankton algae have
created no known nuisances to date in Rainy River.
Benthos
Bottom animals were eliminated from areas that were exposed
by weekly regulated declines in water level in 1960 and 1961. The
great majority of organisms avoided fresh wood fiber deposits
(they were tolerated by sludge worms, some midges, and some snails)
but aged fiber mixed with natural materials had no marked deleterious
affects on other common groups. In many instances varied and comparatively concentrated populations resided in bottom deposits that
contained aged wood fiber. Higher river stages (increased dilution)
contributed to greater variety of organisms in 1962. Forms most
tolerant of wood pulp fiber and associated industrial waste products
were the only ones found in any great concentration. A number of
forms avoided the upper river entirely, and others seemingly may
live there only in areas right of center during years of normal
river stages. With the exception of sludge worms and some midges,
concentration of organisms was less than would normally be expected
for a stream environment of this type, and it may reasonably be
assumed that benthos development was generally impeded by the waste
complex entering the river from the Fort Frances-International Falls
area.
A number of the more desirable fish food organisms were evidently
unable to contend with conditions developed during sumners with
normal river stages. Animals that offered greatest quantities of
fish food were crayfish, fingernail clams, and midges..
~
Fishes
Collecting operations netted 44 species of fish that may normally
be expected in this general area. The sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens,
was not taken in nets, but specimens inadvertently caught on set ,
lines were observed and photographed by survey personnel. Abundance
of fish in terms of pounds per unit area or annual harvestable crop
could not be determined. Angler records were lacking and collection
difficulties occasioned by high water and wood fiber fouling of
nets prevented comparison of catches with those obtained by similar
methods in other waters. Large numbers of certain species and a wide
spectrum of age groups indicate substantial populations of larger
species. The river environment seemingly imposed limitations on
the number of species only in the upper 11 miles where six indigenous
forms failed to occur. A number of species reproduce in Rainy River.
The walleye population appears to be augmented by migration from
Lake of the Woods or tributary streams. Independent studies conducted
at the University of Minnesota (in press) indicate that Sphaerotilus
growth on walleye eggs reduces their per cent hatchability.
Angler utilization is considerably less than the indicated fish
population would sustain. Attraction for anglers is reduced by
accumulation of wood fibers on fishing lines and unsightly
Sphaerotilus growths. The fishery survey was carried out during a
year of abnormally high water, and it is possible that greater dilution
so afforded allowed greater than usual survival of spring-spawned
fish. Younger age groups of game fish were less numerous than .
normally anticipated. The fish population was similar on both sides
of the river and fishing opportunity appeared to be equally divided.
Fishing sites and access routes are more numerous on the American shore.
Lake of the Woods
Four Mi.le Bay received and held most of the wood fiber, chips,
and bark load discharged by Rainy River. Such materials have settled
out in a definite pattern that appeared to be established by
diminishing river velocity and southeast water movement through Oak
Point Inlet. Thickness of such deposits exceeded three feet in some
areas. Distribution of benthic animals was markedly affected by
the pattern of sedimentation of the wood waste materials, Areas
with this cover contained much smaller numbers of benthic groups
than unaffected regions. Plankton in this bay had no apparent
relationship to any class of pollutants.
Very little fiber was carried into the main body of the lake
and it had no demonstrable effects upon distribution of bottom
organisms therein. This fauna exhibited distributional patterns
that were largely induced by variation in natural bottom materials.
A rich and varied plankton population occurred when studies were
made in July 1961. Blue-green algal components were drifted intonumerous long southwest-northeast windrows. No relationships to
pollution or other human activites were discernible.
Bottom sampling, Rainy River survey. Left t o r i g h t , John Evans, Ontario
Water Resources Commission; Richard Klippel, U . S . Public Health Service;
Lawrence A. Schmid, U . S . Public Health Service. August 1962. (International
F a l l s Daily Journal Photograph)
Suspended matter adhering t o f i s h i n g l i n e . 1962
Suspended bark, f i b e r s , and c h i p s adhering t o
t r e e . A f t e r h i g h f l o w i n s p r i n g o f 1962.
( E l m I s l a n d , J u l y 23, 1962)
- 56 -
Views showing bark, fiber, chips and slime
adhering to nets. Summer of 1962.. One and
a half miles below Ontario and Minnesota mills.
-
57
-
TRANSBOUNDARY MOVEMENT OF POLLUTION
In the Treaty of 1909 between the two countries it was agreed,
that "the boundary waters shall not be polluted on either side to
the injury of health or property on the other". In the reference
for this investigation an answer was sought to.the question of
whether transboundary movement of pollution was taking place, to
what extent, and in what localities. The information utilized in
answering these questions in the present investigation was obtained
from float studies, and a review of the analytical data compiled
during the survey periods.
Float Movements
-It is apparent from float studies conducted that transboundary
currents occur at various places in the Rainy River. In the
International Falls-Fort Frances area 55 floats were released. Of
these, 31 crossed the International Boundary line and ten recrossedit within four miles of the point of release. Seven crossed from
the Canadian to the United States side and 24 from the United States
to the Canadian side.
In the vicinity of range 77.5, approximately six miles below
the outlet of Rainy Lake, 11 of 17 floats released in the river
crossed the boundary line from the Canadian side to the United States
side. In the Rainy River-Baudette area the current is slow and illdefined. Twenty-one floats released in this area showed only six
crossings of the boundary, all from the Canadian to the United
States side.
Other Studies
Limited conductivity studies in the Fort Frances-International
Falls area indicated the pattern of transboundary movement of pollution
in the river. A great increase in conductivity occurred along the
United States shore just below the pulp and paper mill in Minnesota,
due to the addition of quantities of inorganic wastes. The increased
conductivity gradually spread across the river as the water moved
downstream. By the time the water reached the junction of the
Little Fork River (approximately 11 miles) the conductivity was
uniform three-fourths of the distance across the stream from the
United States shore.
Coliform organism concentrations at the outlet of Rainy Lake
were very low, about 35 per 100 ml. A very significant increase
in numbers occurred along the Canadian shore just below.the Fort
Frances mill and the municipal sewer outfall. In this area the
average coliform concentration approximated 36,000 per 100 ml.
A lesser but substantial increase occurred along the United States
shore below the International Falls mill, with concentrations
averaging about 6,600 per 100 ml. These high concentrations
gradually spread across the river and became moderately uniform
approximately 20 miles downstream. At range 64.8 the average
coliform concentration ranged only from 10,400 to 11,500 per 100 ml
across the stream.
Biochemical oxygen demand, lignin, color and suspended solids
increased sharply along the United States shore just below the mills.
As the water moved downstream there was a gradual spread across the
river of' the aforementioned constituents and their concentrations
became uniform approximately 25 miles downstream from the mills.
BOD values at the outlet of Rainy Lake averaged about 1.6 mg/l.
Just below the mills on the United States side the BOD averaged
14.8 mg/l, on the Canadian 5 . 3 mg/l, and in midstream about 2 mg/l.
A t range 60.2 the BOD values were nearly uniform, ranging only
from 2,5 to 3.1 mg/l across the stream. The transboundary spread
of pollution is shown clearly in the charted data, Figures 6
through 10.
In the vicinities of Manitou and Long Sault Rapids the flow
is spread uniformly across the channel with very thorough mixing
of the water and pollutional matter.
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
9 REMEDIAL MEASURES
Data presented in this report summarize through tables,
charts and illustrations the results of the investigation of
pollution in the Rainy River Lake of the Woods section of the
boundary waters. They indicate, in accordance with the terms of
reference to the Commission, the extent, nature and sources of
pollution, and in what localities such pollution occurs. The
Advisory Board has examined and evaluated these various data.
From this analysis certain conclusions have been reached, and
remedial measures are recommended. The findings and conclusions
are discussed herewith.
-
Canada and the United States jointly possess an unparalleled
natural resource in these boundary waters. Because they vitally
affect the health, economy and recreation of,bothcountries it
is essential that the waters be so safeguarded from pollution
that their use will .be in the best public interests.. The
importance of maintaining these waters in a satisfactory state is
evident in the action taken by the two governments on two separate
occasions, in requesting that the International Joint Commission
make an investigation of pollution.
The 1913 Investigation
-The pollution problem in 1913 was appreciably different from
that of today. The earlier investigation was concerned primarily
with bacterial pollution from domestic sewage. No municipal sewage
treatment plants were in operation in the area in 1913, hence the
bacterial load on the stream was of primary importance. Records
are not available, but apparently the industrial wastes were not of
such volume or strength that the investigators were much concerned
about their effect on the condition of the water in Rainy River.
The 1913 report stated that "In general the Rainy River shows
serious pollution throughout its length, but in an increased degree
below Fort Frances and International Falls to the Lake of the Woods,
making this whole river an unsafe source of water supply without
very careful purification. The tap water of the Towns of Fort
Frances, ~nternationalFalls and Rainy River was examined and shown
t o be of the same character as that of the river, the source of supply."
The International Joint Commission, following the 1913 investigation, recommended to the two governments that, for the boundary waters
as a whole, -
"It is feasible and practicable, without imposing an unreasonable
burden upon the of fending communities, to prevent or
remedy pollution, both in the case of boundary waters
and waters crossing the boundary.
"(a)
In the case of city sewage, this can best be
accomplished by the installation of suitable
collecting and treatment works, the latter having
special reference ,to the removal of bacteria and
rnatters in suspension.
"(b)
In .the case of vessel sewage, a feasible and
inexpensive remedy lies in the employment of recognized
methods of disinfection before it is discharged. In
the case of water ballast suitable rules and regulations
should be prescribed with a view of protecting the
water intakes.
"(c)
The discharge of garbage and saw mill waste into
boundary waters should be prohibited, and industrial
and other wastes, which are causing appreciable injury,
should be discharged subject to such restrictions as
may be prescribed."
Changes
Period 191391962
Many changes have taken place in the period from 1913 to 1962
which have affected the pollution problem. Two factors which have
contributed adversely to this situation are the increasee in
population and industrial activities. Comparative populations in
the Rainy River watershed in 1913 and 1961 are shown in Table 4.
The total population of the watershed has increased from about
25,000 to 47,000, but the urban population adjacent to Rainy River
has approximately tripled, to a present population of nearly 22,000.
Industries were small and few in number in 1913. The paper
mill on the Minnesota side had been in operation for only three
years, and production was relatively low. The mill on the Ontario
side started operation in 1914. Production has greatly increased
during the intervening years. Many new products are now produced,
resulting in appreciable changes in the characteristics of waste
flow. Several small industries have been founded and now discharge
their waste directly or indirectly to the river.
Several municipalities have constructed sewage treatment plants.
that reduce the solids and bacterial content of the waste discharge.
International Falls has a modern well operated secondary treatment
plant. South International Falls recently completed waste
stabilization ponds. Baudette, Williams and Rainy River have primary
1
treatment plants. These sewage treatment facilities provide secondary
treatment for the domestic wastes from 43 per cerit of the urban
population, and primary treatment for an additional 13 per cent.
In this same period science has made important contributions
toward solving pollution problems. Research in analytical
procedures and treatment methods has made it possible to define
more clearly, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the nature,
extent, and effects of pollution and to apply corrective measures.
The science of water purification in 1913 was in the initial
stages of development. While filtration had been developed it had
not been employed anywhere along these boundary waters. Chlorine
was added to the water in the form of hypochlorite, but the method
of application was crude and often ineffective. Present day methods
in chlorine application and control for disinfection were unknown.
Corresponding advances have been made in the technology of,
sewage and industrial waste treatment. New and improved processes
have made possible greatly increased efficiencies in the removal
of objectionable polluting substances.
Extent
Effects
of Pollution
'
1960-1962
The 1960-1962 investigations revealed that the major pollution
.
occurs in the Fort Frances-International Falls area and only
relatively minor pollution occurs in other areas of this watershed.'
The analytical data derived from bacteriological, chemical, physical,
and biological examinations are a measure of the extent and effects
of the pollutants on Rainy River water. The kind, degree, and
location of pollution are summarized under "Sources and Character
of Pollution" and "Pollution Effects on Boundary Water Quality".
The findings are reviewed here in the light of their effects on
the waters and in relation to the questions contained in the terms
of the reference.
Transboundary Movement
In the Treaty of 1909 between the two countries it was agreed
that the waters on either side of the boundary should not be
polluted to the injury of health or property on the other side.
The first question asked in the present reference to the Commission
involves this transboundary aspect of the pollution problem.
The data presented under "Transboundary Movements" have shown
clearly that there is a transboundary crossing, both of flows and
pollutants, from each side to the other. Since waste discharges
tend to diffuse and become diluted in the receiving waters, it is
difficult to trace a specific effluent over the distance required
to dissipate its potency. Added dilution through travel downstream
and the admixture of similar or other deleterious materials further
complicate this difficulty. The intermingling is also influenced
by winds, bends in the river, islands or other obstructions, and
navigation channels. These effects may not be constant. Under
these circumstances it is not feasible to state, in exact terms,
the amount of pollutants which crosses from each country to the other.
Inlury to Health
The danger to health in the use of these waters is measured
most readily by the coliform determinations, although constituents
of a chemical nature are also of sufficient importance to warrant
consideration. Major purposes for which these waters are used
include domestic water supply, bathing, and recreation. All of
these uses are closely allied to public health and may be injuriously
affected by the discharge of bacterial and chemical wastes. Limits
of pollution beyond which a health menace may exist are not
universally accepted. Several standards have been formulated from
time to time to apply to specific areas and requirements. In the
final report on the 1913 investigation the Commission stated that
"the standard of purification required of these communities should
be such that the streams after receiving their treated sewage would
have a mean annual cross-sectional average of B. Coli not exceeding
A more recent standard for raw waters, acceptable
500 per 100 c.c."
for treatment and use as public water supplies, is that recommended
by the U. S. Public Health Service in 1946. In this recommendation,
waters which have an average monthly coliform content of not more
than 5,000 per 100 ml and exceeding this number in not more than
20 per cent of the samples examined in any month are acceptable
for treatment by complete rapid sand filtration and continuous
postchlorination. In cases where the caliform bacteria exceed
5,000 per 100 ml in more than 20 per cent of the samples examined
during any one month and do not exceed 20,000 per 100 ml in more
than five per cent of the samples examined during any one month
the waters shall be acceptable when given auxiliary treatment in
addition to complete rapid sand filtration and continuous postchlorination. Waters containing coliform bacteria in excess of
the above figures are considered unsuitable for use as a source of
drinking water supply unless brought into conformance by means of
prolonged preliminary storage or some other satisfactory measure.
All sewage pollution must be considered as a potential health
hazard. Pollution also may add an extra burden in the form of
higher costs for water purification, necessitated by the failure
of some upstream user to treat 'adequately the wastes produced.
Similarly, many riparian owners who may wish to use these waters
are not in a position to secure the protection provided by modern
and properly controlled purification processes that can be installed
by municipal bodies. Sane municipalities are deprived of the right
of developing public water supplies within economical limits.
Coliform pollution in Rainy River rises sharply below the
cities of Fort Frances and International Falls and is sustained
throughout the length of the river. The median coliform density
in the river during the 1961 summer survey did not drop below
1,600 per 104) ml from Fort Frances to range 9.3, several miles
downstream from Baudette. The median density at the mouth of
Rainy River approximated 400 per 100 ml. In most areas of the
river the coliform figures were in excess of those considered
suitable for a raw water to be treated even by modern purification
methods. The maximum counts reached excessive values and thereby
imposed a severe load on water purification processes.
\
Tastes and odors in water supplies may be 'caused by industrial
wastes, and particularly by phenolic compounds. In water supplies
which are chlorinated to protect against bacterial pollution,
phenols react with chl.orine and may produce intensely odorous
compounds. These compounds, even when highly diluted, give to the
water tastes and odors which are variously described as medicinal,
chemical, or iodotorm. Two parts of phenol in one billion parts of
chlorinated water may be sufficient to cause objectionable taste
and odor. This condition can cause the public to resort to other
water supplies which nay be palatable but dangerously contaminated.
Presently the polluted section of Rainy River is little used.
as a source of water supply. Only Rainy River Village now uses
the river water for domestic purposes. It is supplied to the water
mains following'chlorinationonly. Small communities along the
river are discouraged from using the water because of its polluted
condition. International Falls and Fort Frances take water from
the watershed upstream from the major sources of pollution.
The presence of sewage p o l l u t i o n i n bathing areas located i n
these waters also constitutes a health hazard. The coliform
data show that Rainy River below the International Falls-Fort
Frances area is heavily contaminated all the way to the Lake of the
Woods. Standards of bathing water quality vary greatly. A study
by Garber (9) in 1956 indicated that the bathing water bacteriological
quality standards of various governmental units were so varied and
complex that it was difficult to compare them. The U. S. Public
Health Service studies (10, 11) on Lake Michigan and Ohio River
concluded that swimmers in waters with median coliform densities
as low as 100 per 100 ml had a greater incidence of eye, ear,
nose, throat, skin, and gastrointestinal illnesses than did nonswinuners. Based upon the American Public Health Association
recommendations, many governmental units have'indicated that suitable
bathing water shall have a coliform density of less than 1,000
per 100 ml.
Rainy River water has limited use for recreational bathing
at the present time.
Effects Upon Aquatic Life
Recent studies (1960-62) showed that aquatic life was
influenced by wastes discharged at the Fort Frances-International
Falls area, and by declines in river stage that were periodically
occasioned by suppression of flow at the paper mill dam. Reductions
in flow intermittently expose large bottom areas in upper Rainy
River and tend to prevent development of an abundant aquatic life
in such areas.
Proliferation of phytoplankton and the slime bacterium
Sphaerotilus were stimulated by nutrients contained in municipal
and industrial wastes. The latter normally grows attached to various
submerged objects. It often makes certain substrates uninhabitable
for other forms of life; it may become affixed to various invertebrates and destroy them by suffocation or smothering; and its
dislodged filaments often create nuisances by fouling fishing
lines, Experiments carried out during the spawning seasons of
1961 and 1962 have indicated that Sphaerotilus growths inhibit
hatching of walleye eggs, seemingly making it very difficult for
the embryo to leave the egg. Dense phytoplankton concentrations
may induce unpalatable tastes and odors in surface water supplies
and increase the cost and difficulty of water treatment.
Wood fiber, wood chips, and bark discharged by the paper mills
a f f e c t e d bottom organisms (benthos) i n most r i v e r reaches below
their points of entry, and in Four Mile Bay, Lake of the Woods.
Fresh wood fiber begins to settle as soon as it reaches the river,
but some is carried in suspension for a number of miles. Settled
wood fiber forms rather thick deposits, patches of which frequently
break away and form floating "islands" which may drift for varying
distances dependent upon their points of origin. Disintegration
of the "islands" temporarily returns wood fiber to suspension,
and secondary settling may form wood fiber mats on remote bottom
areas. Most wood fiber presently being carried into Four Mile Bay
probably arrives as floating "islands". Fresh wood fiber deposits
(most concentrated along the left bank in the upper river) restrict
benthos to some midge larvae, sludge worms, and other forms that
are very tolerant of such pollution. These organisms are much less
desirable fish food resources than intolerant organisms, such as
mayflies, that are eliminated. Wood fiber and/or other wastes
components have apparently made the entire Rainy River intolerable
Fibrous sludge d e p o s i t s along shore of Rainy
River a t I n t e r n a t i o n a l F a l l s , Minnesota.
August, 1962.
Typical accumulation of wood s l i v e r s and fibrous
material observed along U . S . shore of Rainy
River, August 4 , 1962.
for some important benthic groups that have been found in unpolluted
tributaries. A number of other species found in limited areas in
the lower river were missing in reaches containing fresh wood fiber
deposits. Quantities of the more desirable organisms that were
found in lower reaches indicated that individuals were widely
dispersed in what appeared to be naturally productive areas.
Fouling of fish lines with wood fiber and Sphaerotilus discourages
angling in many reaches so that utilization of the Rainy River for
sport fishing is far below its potential.
Iniury
to
Property
Discharge of sewage and industrial wastes into these waters
is a deterrent to potential development of property and the use of
this water for municipal purposes along this river and adds to
the cost of water supply. Suspended fiber, bark, chips, and foam
carried by the.water frequently cause deposits along shores 'of
the river. The deposits are unsightly and often highly odorous.
Similar deposits are common on the river bottom.
During the summer season decomposition liberates gases from
these deposits which often lift sections of the deposits to the
water surface. Obnoxious odors are released from the floating
masses, and bottom deposits. Such conditions adversely affect
the use of these waters for recreational bathing purposes.
Sources
of Pollution
Pollution of these waters is due to the discharge of domestic
sewage and industrial wastes, principally from the municipalities
and pulp and paper mills. Most of the small industries discharge
their wastes into municipal sewers, but the pulp and paper mills
have outlets direct to the boundary waters,
Sources -of Domestic Waste
On the United States side the City of International Falls
represents the major portion of the sewered population. This
community has secondary treatment facilities and its BOD load to
the stream represents approximately nine per cent of the entire
domestic waste load. Baudette, with only primary treatment,
discharges a domestic BOD load of approximately 18 per cent of
the total.
On the Canadian side Fort Frances, which presently provides no
treatment, discharges an estimated domestic BOD load of about
58 per cent of the total. Emo is only partially sewered and
provides no treatment. At present it contributes a small BOD
load. Rainy River Village has only primary treatment. Its waste
load contributes about five per cent of the total domestic BOD
to Rainy River. The remaining domestic BOD is contributed by
villages located on tributaries of Rainy River. The data show that
the domestic BOD load to the river from each of the tributaries
is relatively light and insignificant.
It is expected that the coliform load on the river from each
community, except where chlorination is practiced, is approximately
proportional to the domestic BOD load. Xt is of interest to note
that the entire domestic BOD load is about one per cent of the combined
domestic and industrial BOD load.
Sources
of
Industrial Waste
A summary of industrial waste discharges in the Rainy River
watershed below Rainy Lake is given in Table 8. Almost the entire
waste load is discharged from the outlets of the two pulp and paper
mills,
The total daily volume of mill wastes is approximately
77,000,000 C'. S. gallons. Thi.s volume includes condenser and cooling
water as well as process wastes. These effluents contain large
quantities of pollutants which have an adverse effect on the
receiving stream.
The BOD load contributed to the stream daily by the two mills
in 1961 totalled about 255,000 pounds. This oxygen demand is the
equivalent of that from the domestic waste of a city of one and
one-half million people.
.The suspended solids load, including bark, fiber, chips, and
lime sludge, discharged from the mill outlets exceeded 100 tonslday.
Of these suspended solids, woody materials amount to 61.5 tons/day
or about four per cent of combined net production of both mills.
Suspended matter of this type is the cause of deposits along the
shore and on the river bottom.. These deposits are unsightly and
often produce obnoxious odors.
Sources of Other Wastes
Wastes from navigation and careless dumping of refuse along the
shore and from other sources are re1ativel.y negligible in Rainy River.
Remedial Measures
It has been shown that stream pollution exists in Rainy River.
Its nature, extent, and sources have been presented in detail. This
pollution has an injurious effect on actual or potential uses of
these waters for domestic and industrial water supplies,.bathing,
recreation, and fish life. Pollutants cross from each side of the
boundary to the other. A further question in the terms of the
reference concerns the measures for remedying the situation. If
such measures ,are to be effective, they must raise the quality of
the waters to the point where they can be used satisfactorily
for these various purposes.
Oblecti~es.for Boundary Waters Quality Control
Remedial measures involve the treatment or control of all
sources of pollution reaching the boundary waters and their
tributaries. Information acquired prompted the Advisory Board to
recommend interpretative modifications of the "Objectives for
Boundary Waters Quality Control" for application in the Rainy River
and Lake of the Woods area.
dater quality objectives are essential for determining the
remedial measures necessary for correcting pollution. Objectives
may be established in two ways: (1) through limitation of the
quantity of deleterious substances allowed to enter the receiving
streams, or (2) through limitation of these substances within.the
receiving waters. Whichever type of objective is used, the end
result must be the same, namely maintenance of the water in.a
condition suitable for all appropriate uses.
Objectives adopted for boundary waters quality control establish
the ultimate aim of corrective measures. Objectives must be defined
if water quality is to be improved and maintained, and they must
be impartial in setting goals for all uses. Each purpose will
require a specific quality of water. In the majority of cases,
the uses of any one watercourse are varied, and complex interrelationships must be considered in objectives consistent with all uses.
These principles have been adhered to in the following objectives:
These objectives* are for the boundary waters
in general, and it is anticipated that in certain
specific instances, influenced by local conditions,
more stringent requirements may be found necessary.
.. .
*From report of International Joint Comission, U. S. and Canada,
"Pollution of Boundary Waters", 1951, pages 170-171.
General Objectives
All wastes, including sanitary sewage, storm water,
and industrial effluents, shall be in such condition
when discharged into any stream that they will not
create conditions in the boundary waters which will
adversely affect the use of these waters for the following
purposes: source of domestic water supply or industrial
water supply, navigation, fish and wild life, bathing,
recreation, agriculture and other riparian activities.
In general, adverse conditions are caused by:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
'
Excessive bacterial, physical or
chemical contamination.
Unnatural deposits in the stream,
interfering with navigation, fish and
wild life, bathing, recreation, or
destruction of aesthetic values.
Toxic substances and materials
imparting objectionable tastes and
odors to waters used for domestic
or industrial purposes.
Floating materials, including oils,
grease, garbage, sewage solids, or
other refuse.
Specific Objectives
In more specific terms, adequate controls of pollution
will necessitate the following objectives for:
(A)
Sanitary Sewage, Storm Water, and Wastes
from Water Craft
Sufficient treatment for adequate removal or
reduction of solids, bacteria and chemical
constituents which may interfere unreasonably
with the use of these waters for the purposes
aforementioned.
Adequate protection for these waters, except
in certain specific instances influenced by
local conditions, should be provided if the
coliform M.P.N. median value does not exceed
2,400 per 100 ml at any point in the waters
following initial dilution.
,
(B)
Industrial Wastes
(1)
-
Chemical Wastes Phenolic Type
Industrial waste effluents from phenolic
hydrocarbon and other chemical plants
will cause objectionable tastes or
odors in drinking or industrial water
supplies and may taint the flesh of fish.
Adequate protection should be provided for these
waters if the concentration of phenol or
phenolic equivalents does not exceed an
average of 2 p.p.b, and a maximum of
5 p.p.b. at any point in these waters
following initial dilution. This quality in
the receiving waters will probably be attained
if plant effluents are limited to 20 p.p.b.
of phenol or phenolic equivalents.
Some of the industries producing phenolic
wastes are: coke, synthetic resin, oil,
creosoting, wood distillation, and dye
manufacturing plants.
(2)
Chemical Wastes, Other than Phenolic
Adequate protection should be provided if:
(a) The pH of these waters following
initial dilution is not less than
6.7 nor more than 8.5. This quality
in the receiving waters will probably
be attained if plant effluents are
adjusted to a pH value within the
range of 5.5 and 10.6.
(b) The iron content of these waters
following initial dilution does not'
This quality in
exceed 0.3 p.p.m.
the receiving waters will probably
be attained if plant effluents are
limited to 17 p.p.m. of iron in terms
of Fe.
(c) The odor-producing substances in the
effluent are reduced to a point that
following initial dilution with these
waters the mixture does not have a threshold
odor number in excess of eight due to such
added material.
(d) Unnatural color and turbidity of the
wastes are reduced to a point that
these waters will not be offensive in
appearance or otherwise unattractive
for the aforementioned uses.
Oil
and floating solids are reduced to
(e)
a point such that they will not create
fire hazards, coat hulls of water craft,
injure fish or wild life or their habitat,
or will adversely affect public or private
recreational development or other legitimate shore line developments or uses.
Protection should be provided for these
waters if plant effluents or storm water
discharges from premises do not contain
oils, as determined by extraction, in
excess of 15 p.p.m., or a sufficient
amount to create more than a faint
iridescence.
Some of the industries producing chemical wastes.
other than phenolic are: oil wells and petroleum
refineries, gasoline filling stations and bulk
stations, styrene co-polymer, synthetic pharmaceutical, synthetic fiber, iron and steel,
alkali chemical, rubber fabricating, dye
manufacturing, pulp and paper mills, and
acid manufacturing plants.
(3)
Highly Toxic Wastes
Adequate protection should be provided for these
waters if substances highly toxic to human, fish,
aquatic, or wild life are eliminated or reduced
to safe limits. Some of the industries producing
highly toxic wastes are: metal plating and
finishing plants discharging cyanides, chromium
or other toxic wastes; chemical and pharmaceutical
plants and coke ovens. Wastes containing toxic
concentrations of free halogens are included in
this category.
(4) Deoxygenating Wastes
Adequate.protection of these 'waters should result
if sufficient treatment is provided for the
substantial removal of solids, bacteria, chemical
constituents and other substances capable of
reducing the dissolved oxygen content of these
waters unreasonably. Some,of the industries
producing these wastes are: tanneries, glue
and gelatin plants, alcohol, including
breweries and distilleries, wool scouring,
pulp and paper, food processing plants such as
meat packing and dairy plants, corn products,
beet sugar-,fish processing and dehydration
plants.
The methods of determination of the chemical constituefits referred to
in the preceding objectives are as given in "Analytical Methods for
Boundary.Waters Quality Control," as prepared by the Board of
. Technical Advisers. Bacterial determinations are to include the
presumptive and confirmed tests, or the M.F. procedure, for the
coliform group of bacteria as given in "Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and .Sewageu.
Application of These Obiectives
- Rainy River and Lake of the Woods:
The Advisory Board recommends in the application of these
objectives for the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods area that the
following interpretations apply:
(1)
The provision (B) (4) of the Objectives, pertaining
to dissolved oxygen reduction, would be met if the
dissolved oxygen does not fall below 5 mg/l at the
monthly average flow which is exceeded 95 per cent
of the time in the critical month, nor fall below 3 mg/l
at the minimum daily flow that is exceeded 95 per cent
of the time in the critical month.
(2)
The provision (B) (2) (e) of the Objectives pertaining
to "floating", or suspended, solids will be met for
pulp and paper wastes if facilities that effect
substantially complete removal of all suspended
solids are provided by the mills.
(3) The provisions of (B) (I), (B) (2) ( a ) and (B) (2) (c)
would be applicable when and if the need for the same is
demonstrated or develops in these waters.
(4) The provision (A) as applied to public recreational
bathing areas would be met if median coliform values
do not exceed 1,000 per 100 ml.
The Board recornends the adoption of the following specific objective:
The discharge of nutrients, including wood sugars, shall be
controlled or reduced to the extent necessary to prevent nuisance
growths of Sphaerotilus or other slimes in the river.
Pollution Control Program
It is apparent, from-thedata presented in the foregoing, that
a comprehensive waste treatment program is required. Two methods for
dealing with water pollution problems are commonly advocated. One
viewpoint advocates the utilization of the stream for carrying
away as much waste as it can tolerate without interfering too
seriously with normal stream uses. The other would exclude all
i m p u r i t i e s from watercourses.
Between t h e s e c o n f l i c t i n g views is a
c o u r s e which t h e Board f e e l s w i l l meet t h e s i t u a t i o n . T h i s c o u r s e
has been followed i n d e v e l o p i n g t h e " O b j e c t i v e s f o r Boundary Waters
Q u a l i t y Control."
No t o l e r a n c e l i m i t , whether f o r t h e e f f l u e n t o r
f o r t h e s t r e a m , can be expected t o remain f i x e d . I t must change
w i t h changing c o n d i t i o n s and each change should b e i n t h e p u b l i c
interest.
The l a r g e volume of w a t e r f l o w i n g between t h e United S t a t e s
and Canada should be regarded a s a n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e t o be s h a r e d
by b o t h c o u n t r i e s . I t should n o t b e wantonly d e s t r o y e d by p o l l u t i o n
from m u n i c i p a l i t i e s , from i n d u s t r i e s , o r from any o t h e r source. An
i n t e l l i g e n t p o l i c y of s a f e g u a r d i n g t h e s e w a t e r s from g r o s s p o l l u t i o n
should be f o s t e r e d and encouraged s o t h a t they w i l l b e used f o r t h e
h i g h e s t p u b l i c good and n o t e x p l o i t e d by s e l f i s h i n t e r e s t s . While
t h e boundary w a t e r s should n o t be regarded a s p u b l i c sewers f o r
c a r r y i n g away w a s t e s of a l l k i n d s , t h e i r r e a s o n a b l e u t i l i z a t i o n f o r
t h e d i s p o s a l of e f f l u e n t s may be p e r m i t t e d a s long a s o t h e r w a t e r
u s e s a r e n o t impaired.
The p o l l u t i o n problem must be c o n s i d e r e d not o n l y on t h e b a s i s
of present-day c o n d i t i o n s but a l s o i n terms of t h e f u t u r e .
F a c i l i t i e s f o r t h e t r e a t m e n t of municipal sewage must i n c o r p o r a t e
s u f f i c i e n t f l e x i b i l i t y t o permit r e a d y expansion t o s a t i s f y f u t u r e
demands. I n d u s t r i a l waste d i s p o s a l programs must n o t o n l y p r o v i d e
f o r adequate t r e a t m e n t f o r t h e p r e s e n t , b u t must i n s u r e t h a t new
i n d u s t r i e s o r new i n d u s t r i a l p r o c e s s e s which may b e e s t a b l i s h e d
w i l l not j e o p a r d i z e t h e r i g h t s of u s e r s of ,these w a t e r s .
Industry
must c o n t i n u e t o assume, i n c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h o t h e r a g e n c i e s , t h e
r e s e a r c h and p l a n n i n g r e q u i r e d f o r s a t f s f a c t o r y and e f f i c i e n t
d i s p o s a l of i n d u s t r i a l wastes.
Disposal
of
Municipal Wastes
S i n c e municipal sewage c a r r i e s t h e organisms of d i s e a s e s
t r a n s m i s s i b l e t o humans, t h e d i s c h a r g e of t h i s waste i s of major
concern i n t h e s e boundary w a t e r s . The l a r g e volume of municipal
w a s t e s , t o t a l l i n g t h r e e m i l l i o n U. S. (2.5 m i l l i o n Imp.) g a l l o n s
per day, d i s c h a r g e d i n t o t h e s e w a t e r s adds a heavy b a c t e r i a l load.
About 53 per c e n t of t h i s i s r e c e i v i n g some t r e a t m e n t , b u t t h e
t r e a t m e n t i n some c a s e s i s primary only. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e domestic
sewage from t h e sewered p o p u l a t i o n of 21,500 i n t h e a r e a under
Reference, the municipal sewers c a r r y a l i m i t e d amount of i n d u s t r i a l
wastes.
S i n c e 1913 t h e t o t a l p o p u l a t i o n of t h i s a r e a has r i s e n from l e s s
than 24,000 t o s l i g h t l y more than 47,000. The f i n a l r e p o r t of t h e
1913 i n v e s t i g a t i o n p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e s e w a t e r s were s e r i o u s l y
p o l l u t e d by sewage. I t was reconnnended t h a t t h e sewage b e t r e a t e d
s
either by fine screening or sedimentation and, when necessary, by
chemical disinfection in order to secure in the receiving waters a
mean annual cross-sectional average B. Coli of 500 per 100 C.C.
Since 1913 a number of sewage treatment plants have been
constructed. Notwithstanding the accomplishments of these works,
the bacterial load was found in 1961-1962 to be approximately
20 times as great as in 1913. The treatment of municipal wastes
which has been provided has neither reduced the bacterial load
below the 1913 level nor has it even kept pace with the increase
resulting from expansion of municipal populations and industrial
activities.
It is the opinion of the Advisory Board that satisfactory
quality in these waters, as outlined in the "Objectives for Boundary
Waters Quality Control", will not be obtained until all municipal
wastes are given continuous treatment of a high degree, and more
efficient or secondary treatment will have to be provided where
this has not already been accomplished. It is recognized that local
conditions on either side of the boundary may give additional
impetus to the need for this higher degree of treatment. The
completion of the construction of such works will require an appreciable
period, but action should be taken without delay to inaugurate this
program leading to the attainment of secondary treatment for all
municipalities discharging wastes into these waters.
This program for the treatment of sewage will not fully
accomplish the desired objective unless concurrent action is taken
to deal with the overflows from.cornbined sewers. A long term
program leading to the separation of domestic sewage from storm
water should be adopted. Sanitary sewage must also be segregated
from mill wastes for proper treatment in municipal and treatment
facilities.
The misuse or neglect of treatment facilities must be avoided
at all times. Inefficient operation of a plant or unwarranted
bypassing of untreated or partially treated effluent should not be
permitted.
The Board is of the opinion that reasonable water quality
consistent with the wide variety of uses of these waters, both
present and future will be maintained if the wastes are treated to
a degree which will result in a median coliform value not exceeding
2,400 per 100 ml at any point in the boundary waters following
initial dilution of waste discharges and not exceeding 1,000 per
100 ml in public recreational bathing areas. It will likewise be
necessary to provide sufficient treatment so that other substances
which may injuriously affect the water, as defined in the objectives,
will be removed.
Disposal
of Industrial Wastes
The volume of industrial wastes, exclusive of that carried
in municipal sewers, discharged directly into these boundary
waters, is 77 million U. S. (64 million Imp.) gallons per day,
nearly 30 times the volume of municipal wastes. These wastes
carry large quantities of deleterious substances, which seriously
affect the quality of the receiving waters and may adversely affect
property values.
In contrast to the disposal of domestic sewage, industrial
wastes are so varied in composition that no uniform treatment
process is applicable. Each waste must be considered individually
in the light of the deleterious substances present. Limits of
tolerance for certain of these substances in industrial effluents
have been included in the "Objectives for Boundary Waters quality
Control" as interpreted for these waters. The problem of industrial
waste treatment is one for the industry involved.
When a new industry proposes to locate on a watercourse, due
regard must be given to ensure that the wastes will not jeopardize
the rights of other water users. The same principle must a ~ p l y
when new processes resulting in objectionable wastes are involved.
Approval by the water pollution control public agencies is required
in both Ontario and Minnesota.
One of the problems of industrial waste disposal is that of
sudden or concentrated discharges, connnonly known as "slugs" or
"spills". By a slug is meant the release of a volume of highly
concentrated polluting material over. a short period of time. Slugs
are intermittent, but their effects may be, felt for great distances
and for prolonged periods.
It is the responsibility of industry to avoid slugs and spills
as far as possible. Control and monitoring programs should be
instituted and maintained where there is the likelihood of such
conditions occurring.
-
Disposal of -Other Nastes
In Rainy River wastes from boating, log rafting and community
and private refuse disposal present a relatively minor problem.
Progress
Pollution Control
Some progress in the control or elimination of pollution has
been accomplished during the period of this investigation. While
construction of sewage works has not been on a large scale there
has'been much activity in the preparation of plans and initiation
of projects. This activity is continuing on the part of both
municipalities and industry.
Present Status of Municipal Waste Treatment Facilities
Minnesota
International Falls
Secondary treatment,
trickling filters
South International ~ a l i s
Sewage stabilization ponds
Baudette
Wi 11iams
Primary treatment
.
Primary treatment
Little Fork
Primary treatment
Cook
Primary treatment
U. S. Air Force
A.C. & W. Station
Secondary treatment,
trickling filters
,
Ontario
Fort Frances
No treatment, primary
treatment plant under
construction
Barwick
No sewerage system
Rno
Partly sewered
no treatment.
Plans being made for sewage
stabilization ponds.
Rainy River
Inadequate primary treatment,
Plans being made for sewage
stabilization ponds.
Present Status
.
..
-
of
Industrial Wastes
Reduction facilities:
-
Ontario Minnesota Pulp
and Paper Company, Ltd.
Minnesota
Company
- Ontario Paper
Savealls, bark recovery.
Savealls, bark recovery, bark
settling pond. Partial
separation of domestic sewage.
Waste sulfite liquor used for
road binder.
Cost and Financinq
--
..,
..
The following estimates have been prepared on costs for
remedial measures in answer to this question in the terms of the
reference. The municipal costs are divided as follows:
(1) interceptors and primary treatment, and (2) additions of
secondary treatment. Industrial costs were estimated by industries
involved on the basis of compliance with the "Objectives for Boundary
Waters Quality Control".
Costs for municipalities (interceptors
7
United States:
None
Canadian
$2,384,500
:
Total Primary:
primary treatment):
$2,384,500
For the second stage or secondary treatment of municipal wastes
the additional costs are estimated as:
United States:
$200,000
Canadian
:
$508,000
:
$708,000
Total
rand
Costs for
--
TOTAL:
$3,092,500
industries:
United States and Canada:
$11,000,000
A strong deterrent in the solution of water pollution problems
has been the reluctance of some municipalities and industry to make
funds available for this purpose. This may be due either to
financial inability, lack of appreciation of responsibility by
the polluter, or indifference on the part of the public. Accordingly,
it is important to consider methods of securing funds for the
construction and operation of remedial works.
Remedial works for treating municipal wastes must be constructed
through public funds. These may come from any of several sources
such as cash reserves, short term loans or debentures, general
obligation bonds, special assessment bonds, revenue bonds, government
aid, or any combination of these. The annual payments on capital
debts incurred by the municipalities for such works and for their
operation may come from general taxation or some form of service
charge. Since the sewage works are designed for the benefit of the
entire community and are an obligation of the municipality, some
municipal authorities favor paying part of the costs by general
taxes. In order to apportion the remaining costs on the basis of
benefits derived the practice of applying a service charge is
gaining widespread use. These service charges are designated by
several names such as sewer rates, sewage service rates, and sewer
rentals, These rates have advantages which justify serious study
by public officials confronted with the problem of financing
municipal sewage treatment works.
It is a recognized fact that industrial wastes are the
responsibility of the industry. Experience has demonstrated that
in certain industries it is possible to reclaim from the wastes
useful by-products which may partially offset the cost of treatment.
The treatment or control of these wastes, however, whether profitable
or otherwise, must be regarded as a part of the cost of production.
Water Pollution Control Le~islation
Federal legislation in the United States centers about
Public Law 660, as amended by Public Law 87-88, and known as the
"Water Pollution Control Act". It was designed to "recognize,
preserve, and protect the primary responsibilities and rights
of the States in .preventing and controlling water pollution, to
support and aid technical research relating to the prevention and
control of water pollution, and to provide Federal technical services
and financial aid to State and interstate agencies and to municipalities in connection with the prevention and control of water
pollution." There is also Federal legislation applicable to certain
types of pollution of harbors and other navigable waters.
In Canada there is no Federal legislation which is concerned
with pollution of water per se. There are, however, certain
statutes which deal with this problem, particularly as applied to
navigation, fisheries, and wild life.
In the State of Minnesota water pollution control is centered
in the Water Pollution Control Connnission, The statute creating
this agency gives it authority to deal with all types of water
pollution.
In the Province of Ontario, problems pertaining to water
pollution and pollution control are under the jurisdiction of the
Ontario Water Resources Commission.
Municipalities are authorized to enact regulations or bylaws dealing with such matters as control of local pollution,
restrictions on the use of sewers, setting sewer service rates,
and financing.
The Continuing Program
7
It is recognized that in these waters pollution control is an
ever changing problem. The fulfillment of the objective will
require time and continuous supervision. Technical difficulties
may be expected in connection with industrial wastes. New
industrial processes which will be developed may produce different
wastes and complications in disposal. Past experience has shown
that constant effort and attention by regulatory authorities are
needed if existing pollution is to be controlled and new pollution
is to be prevented.
It is believed advisable for the Commission to foster pollution
abatement programs for the boundary waters through consultation
and cooperation with Federal, State, and Provincial governments.
The administration of such a program should be through existing
pollution control authorities.
A spirit of cooperation in solving pollution problems has
been evident among industries and the municipalities. Industries
have formed associations primarily for the development of waste
treatment methods. Of particular interest in this area is the
National Council for Stream Improvement (of.the Pulp, Paper and
Paperboard Industries) Incorporated.
It is believed that progress in pollution abatement will beaided if a technical comnittee or board be established to maintain
a continuing interest in the pollution problem. .Such a committee
would supplement and strengthen the efforts made by.pollution
control authorities and would permit the interchange of reports
on progress. This c k i t t e e should consist of representatives
from the Federal, State, and Provincial governments involved in
this problem.
APPENDICES
GLOSSARY
B. coli or B. coli group
the coli-aerogenes group as used
in all editions of Standard Methods
of Water Analysis prior to the sixth
edition, It is equivalent to the
coliform group as defined in later
editions of Standard Methods and
used during this investigation.
Board, Board of Sanitary
Experts, or Advisory Board
Board of Technical Advisers to the
International Joint Commission
in the investigations described
in this report.
BOD
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Boundary Waters
the waters from main shore to main
shore between the United States and
Canada, as defined in the Treaty.
of 1909.
cfs
cubic feet per second
Coliform or coliform group
those organisms which will ferment
lactose within 48 hours at 35.50C
in the presence of brilliant green
bile and in the proportions contained
in standard dehydrated media of that
type (tube dilution test): or those
organisms which produce a dark colony
with a metallic sheen in 20 2 hours
of incubation at 35.50C on M-Endo-MF
Broth (membrane filter test).
Commission
the International Joint Commission;
I.J.C.
composite sample
a sample made up of portions collected
at definite intervals and mixed
before analyses.
DO
dissolved oxygen
fps
feet per second
grab sample
an individual sample all portions of
which have been taken at the same time.
IBC
International Boundary Conunission
I.J.C.
International Joint Commission
Imp.
Imperial
IMViC
the pattern of biochemical reactions
derived from the results of the Indol,
Proskauer,
the Methyl Red, the Voges
and Citrate tests.
-
International Boundary
or boundary
the boundary between the United
States and Canada
median
the value which is equaled or
exceeded by exactly half the values
in the given list.
membrane filter
micrograms per liter (approximately
equivalent to ppb)
milligrams per liter (approximately
equivalent to ppm)
million gallons per day
milliliters
MPN or MPN Index
the most probable number of coliform
organisms per 100 ml when calculated
from multiple tube dilution tests.
No.
number
P.A.
Public Act
P.L.
Public Law
pH
hydrogen ion concentration
Phelps Index
the indicated number of B. coli
per 100 rnl when calculated from the
results of single tube dilution tests.
primary or partial
treatment
the first major step in sewage.
treatment works, usually screening,
grit removal, and sedimentation.
secondary treatmen't
the treatment of sewage by
biological methods following
primary treatment.
slug or spill
the release 0f.a volume of highly
concentrated polluting material
over a short period of time.
SS
suspended solids
Standard Methods
Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Waste
Water
Latest Edition.
-
United States
per cent
REFERENCES
International Joint Commission, "Progress Report of the
International Joint Commission on the Reference by the
United States and Canada in re. the Pollution of Boundary
Waters, dated January 16, 1914," U. S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D. C. (1918)
American Public Health Association, American Water Works
Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation, "Standard
Methods for the Examination 'of Water, Sewage, and Industrial
Waste", Tenth Edition, 1955, and "Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Waste Water", Eleventh Edition, 1960.
International Boundary Commission, "Joint Report upon the
Survey and Demarcation of the Boundary Between the United
States and Canada", U. S. Government Printing Office,
.
Washington, Washington, D. C. (1931)
"Rainy River Pollution Survey 193711,A Report of a Joint
Survey of the Rainy River by the Ontario Department of Health
and the Minnesota Department of Health. (Unpublished)
Johnston, W. A., "Rainy River District, Ontario, Surficial
Geology and Soils", Memoir 82, Number 68 Geological Series
(1915).
Canadian Department of Mines. Geological Survey.
Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company, "Rate of Passage of
Water Down Rainy River Under Minimum Flow Conditions", 1958.
(Unpublished)
,
"Minnesota Arrowhead Association Vacation-Travel Survey,
1958-1959', Conducted by Minnesota Arrowhead Association
in cooperation with Iron Range Resources Rehabilitation
Department, State of Minnesota.
Nute, G. L., "Rainy River Country", Minnesota Historical
Society, Saint Paul, Minnesota (1950)
Garber, W. F., "Bacteriological Standards for Bathing Waters",
Sewage and Industrial Wastes, 3, 795-807 (1956).
U. S. Public Health Service,'"Bathing Water Quality and Health.
I . Great Lakes", U. S. Public Health Service Publication (1951).
U. S. Public Health Service, "Bathing Water Quality and Health.
11. Inland Rivers", U. S, Public Health Service Publication (1952).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Minnesota Department of Health, Report on Rainy River
Investigation, January 16-25, 1962.
2.
Minnesota Department of Health, Report on Survey of Waste
Disposal, Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company, International
Falls, Minnesota, July 31 August 7, 1961.
-
3.
Minnesota Department of Health, Supplementary Report on
Background Information, Rainy River Watershed Between the
Outlet of Rainy Lake at Ranier and Long Point of Lake of
the Woods, July, 1961, and Appendices A through H.
4. Minnesota Department of Health, Progress Report on Background
Information on the Rainy River Watershed, May 2, 1961, and
Appendix A.
5.
Minnesota Department of Health, Memorandum on Investigation
of Sewage Disposal on the Rainy River Watershed Between the
Outlet of Rainy Lake at Ranier and Long Point of Lake of the
Woods, July October, 1960, and bibliography.
6.
-
Minnesota Department of Health, Memorandum on Survey of Waste
Disposal, Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company, International
Falls, Minnesota, August 16 19, 1960.
-
7.
Minnesota Department of Health, Water Quality Sampling Program,
Minnesota Lakes and Streams, Vol. 11, 1958-59.
8. Minnesota Department of Health, Report on Investigation of the
Rainy River, Lake of the Woods and Koochiching Counties,
September 2 12, 1958.
-
9. Minnesota Department of Health, Report on Investigation of the
Rainy River, June 23 27, 1958,
-
10.
Minnesota Department of Health, Report on Survey of the Rainy
River, Koochiching and Lake of the Woods Counties, August, 1957.
11.
Minnesota Department of Health, Report on Follow-up Survey of
Rainy River Including Survey of Waste Disposal System at
Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company, International Falls, Minnesota,
June, August and September, 1955.
12.
Minnesota Department of Health, Report on Follow-up Survey of
Rainy River Including Survey of Waste Disposal System, Minnesota
and Ontario Paper Company, and Summary, Conclusions, and
Recommendations, August, 1954.
13.
Minnesota Department of Health, Report on Preliminary Survey
of Pollution of Rainy River, and Summary and Conclusions,
August 18-25, 1952.
14.
Minnesota Department of Health, Memorandum on Waste Disposal
at the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company, July 9, 1951
February 6, 1952,
15.
Minnesota Department of Health, Report on the Survey of the
Rainy River, June 11 12, 1951
16.
17.
-
-
Minnesota Department of Health, Report on the Follow-up
Investigation of the Rainy River, September 21-23, 1948.
Slanetz, L, W., and Bartley, C. H., "Numbers of Enterococci
in Water, Sewage, and Faeces Determined by the Membrane Filter
Technique with an Improved Medium", Journal of Bacteriology,
74, 591-595 (1957).
18.
Nelson, N. Jr., "A Photometric Adaptation of the Somogyi Method
for the Determination of Glucose", J. Biological Chemistry,
153, 375 (1944).
19.
Tennant, A. D., Reid, J. E., Rockwell, L. J., "A
Bacteriological Study of the Rainy River Conducted for the
Advisory Board on Water Pollution Rainy River and Lake of the
Woods, International Joint Commission." Department of National
Health & Welfare (Canada) Manuscript Reports of the Laboratory
of Hygiene No. 60-1 (1960)
20.
Shallenberger, R. S. and Moores, R. G., "Quantitative
Determination of Reducing Sugars and Sucrose Separated by
Paper Chromatography", Anal. Chem., 29, 27 (1957).
21.
International Joint Commission, "Final Report of the
International Joint Commission on the Pollution of Boundary
Waters Reference". U. S. Government Printing Office, 1918.
22.
Stearman, R. L., "statistical Concepts in Microbiology",
Bact. Reviews, 19, 160 (1955).
GSA-KANSAS C l T / - 6 3 - 1949
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